Wetin dey happen? The whole world dey watch as Iraq and Bolivia fight for the last slot wey remain for the 2026 World Cup. The match wey play for Estadio BBVA for Monterrey, Mexico, na serious wahala. One goal just decide am. Iraq don carry the day, 1-0. Dem don qualify for World Cup after 40 years wey dem no see road go there. Last time na 1986. Bolivia sef, dem no go World Cup since 1994. So you see say both teams dey hungry.
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The match start around 11pm ET on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. From the beginning, Iraq show say dem mean business. Dem dey press Bolivia well well. Just 10 minutes into the game, corner kick come. Ali Al-Hamadi, the striker wey dey play for Iraq, jump pass everybody for box. Him head the ball strong strong, bullet header! The ball just enter net. Goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra of Bolivia no even see am. Iraq 1, Bolivia 0. Early lead.
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After the goal, Bolivia try to wake up. Dem get some chances, but Iraq defence dey tight. Players like Hussein Ali and Zaid Tahseen dey block any attack wey Bolivia bring. For midfield, Ibrahim Bayesh and Youssef Amyn dey control the game. Dem no gree Bolivia breathe. The first half end with Iraq still leading.
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Second half come, Bolivia coach Oscar Villegas make some changes. Dem bring in fresh legs, try to find equalizer. Miguel Terceros, the midfielder wey be top scorer for CONMEBOL qualifiers, dey try him best. But Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil dey sharp. Him save two dangerous shots. Iraq sef get chance to increase the lead, but dem miss.
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The tension high for last 15 minutes. Bolivia dey throw everything forward. Dem get free-kick for edge of box, but the ball hit wall. Corner kick come, Iraq clear am. Referee Ivan Barton blow final whistle. Iraq players run up and down, dem dey celebrate. Bolivia players just dey look ground, dem don cry. The dream don cut for dem.
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This win mean say Iraq go join Group I for the World Cup. Who dey there? France, Senegal, and Norway. Na tough group, but Iraq don show say dem fit shock anybody. For the other playoff matches wey play yesterday, Bosnia and Herzegovina qualify after beating Italy on penalties. Turkey qualify too, dem go join USA for Group D. Sweden and Czechia also qualify. DR Congo don qualify from the other intercontinental playoff after beating Jamaica 1-0.
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Now, all 48 teams for 2026 World Cup don complete. The co-hosts na USA, Canada, and Mexico. From Africa, we get Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, South Africa, Cape Verde, and DR Congo. From Asia, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Qatar, Uzbekistan, and Jordan don qualify. Europe bring plenty teams like France, England, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, and the new qualifiers wey we mention. South America bring Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay.
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For Iraq team, this victory na big achievement. Coach Graham Arnold don lead dem well. Veteran striker Aymen Hussein, with over 90 caps, lead the team as captain. Him and Al-Hamadi form deadly partnership for attack. The whole country dey celebrate now. After 40 years of waiting, dem don finally return to the world stage.
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Bolivia journey end here. Dem defeat Suriname 2-1 for semifinal to reach this final, but dem no fit cross the last hurdle. Players like Luis Haquin and Ramiro Vaca try their best, but na so football be. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Dem go return home with broken hearts, but dem try.
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The World Cup go start June 11, 2026. All eyes dey North America. Iraq don write their name for history. Dem join the party. The last ticket don collected. Game don set.
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