World Cup 2026 Lineup Complete As Iraq Ends 40-Year Wait

World Cup 2026 Lineup Complete As Iraq Ends 40-Year Wait

By Niyi Busari 

Iraq and Democratic Republic of the Congo have secured the final two qualification spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, capping off dramatic playoff campaigns with historic victories, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Iraq confirmed their place with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff final, marking their first appearance at the World Cup in four decades. Their only previous participation came in 1986, making this qualification a significant milestone for the nation’s football resurgence.

Meanwhile, DR Congo booked their return to football’s biggest stage with a narrow 1-0 victory against Jamaica. The result ends a 52-year absence from the tournament, with their last appearance dating back to 1974 when they competed as Zaire.

Historic Returns

Both teams’ qualifications represent landmark moments in their football histories. For Iraq, the achievement underscores years of rebuilding and development amid challenging circumstances, while DR Congo’s success reflects a steady rise under recent reforms and improved performances in continental competitions.

DR Congo’s disciplined display against Jamaica highlighted their defensive solidity and ability to capitalize on key moments, while Iraq showed resilience and attacking efficiency to overcome Bolivia in a closely contested encounter.

Completing the World Cup Lineup

The two victories complete the final lineup of teams for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will feature 48 nations for the first time in history. The tournament, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will offer increased opportunities for emerging football nations to compete on the global stage.

Iraq and DR Congo now join a list of playoff qualifiers that includes Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Turkey, and Czechia, all of whom secured their places via the European playoffs.

With qualification secured, attention will now shift to preparations for the tournament, as both Iraq and DR Congo aim to make meaningful impacts on their return to the world stage.

For fans, these long-awaited comebacks add an extra layer of intrigue to what is already shaping up to be a historic edition of the FIFA World Cup.