Photos: Iraq celebrates after qualifying for FIFA World Cup 2026
The Lions of Mesopotamia secured their World Cup spot with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Bolivia amid war backdrop.

The Lions of Mesopotamia secured their World Cup spot with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Bolivia amid war backdrop.



![FIFA President Gianni Infantino, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum pose for a selfie during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw. [Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2025-12-05T195747Z_1258219325_UP1ELC51E05TB_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-WORLDCUP-DRAW_cropped-1773982597.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)





Donald Trump was centre stage accepting the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize.
Hakimi is the first Moroccan since 1998 and the first defender since 1973 to win Africa’s most prestigious award.
Donald Trump thanks Ronaldo as football superstar makes surprise appearance alongside Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

A number of other underdog nations have just qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals.
Denmark needed just a draw for automatic qualification. Now they must fight for a spot through playoffs.
“Nigeria had a group that on paper should have seen them top.”
DR Congo reach inter-confederation playoffs for 2026 World Cup after beating Nigeria on penalties after a 1-1 draw.