World Cup play-off drama: Iraq and Turkey join Middle Eastern countries at tournament
World Cup play-off finals delivered both major triumphs and surprising upsets
Dubai: Iraq and Turkey join five other Middle Eastern countries at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Iran, Egypt and now Iraq and Turkey are set to represent the Middle Eastern countries at this summer’s World Cup.
Iraq end 40-year wait
Iraq booked their return to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years since their sole appearance in 1986, after securing a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in an intercontinental play-off held in Monterrey, Mexico.
The victory earns Iraq their second-ever World Cup appearance, after progressing through the fifth round of Asian Football Confederation qualifying and clinching their spot with the decisive win.
Luton Town’s Ali Al Hamadi put Iraq in front with a header from a corner but Bolivia replied with an equalizer just before half-time through Moisés Paniagua.
Iraq regained the lead in the 54th minute, as Aymen Hussein finished a fluid move set up by Marko Farji, a goal that would prove decisive.
The nation await a tough group I at the World Cup where they will face former champions France, as well as Senegal and Norway.
Turkey edge past Kosovo
Turkey ended a 24-year World Cup drought with a 1-0 victory over Kosovo in Tuesday’s playoff final, marking their return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since their memorable 2002 campaign, when they reached the semi-finals.
Forward Kerem Akturkoglu scored the only goal of the game, turning the ball in from close range to book his side a ticket to the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.
Speaking to Turkish TV, Akturkoglu said: "Thank God. It has been 24 years. Some of us were not even born the last time we qualified, and some were too young to remember. We always dreamed of moments like this.
"We talked about 2002 and the success there, we always dreamed of it. Most of us don’t even remember 2002. Now we will give the next generation something to dream about at the 2026 World Cup. We want to make our country proud," he added.
Turkey will face Australia, Paraguay and the US in Group D of the World Cup.
Who else qualified?
Bosnia and Herzegovina stunned Italy to book their place at this summer’s tournament as the four-time world champions failed to qualify for a third World Cup in a row after a devastating penalty shootout defeat.
In the penalty shootout, Pio Esposito, who shot over the bar, and Bryan Cristante, whose effort struck the underside of the crossbar, both missed, after Gennaro Gattuso’s ten-man side had held off a relentless Bosnian attack to force penalties.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by 40-year-old captain Edin Dzeko, have now secured only their second-ever World Cup appearance and will face Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland in Group B this summer.
Sweden will also compete at the World Cup after a late Viktor Gyokeres goal ended what was a dramatic game at the Strawberry Arena.
A single strike, was all it took to erase the disappointment of Sweden’s disappointing qualifying run and secure Graham Potter’s team a spot at the World Cup.
Sweden will compete in Group F at the 2026 World Cup, facing the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia in the group stage.
Czech Republic beat Denmark on penalties to reach their first World Cup finals in 20 years.
Denmark were undone by a dire display in the shootout, as they missed the target with two spot-kicks and had another saved.
Czech Republic will face co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A at the World Cup.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo secured their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, thanks to an extra-time goal from Axel Tuanzebe that sealed a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off final at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico.
Former Manchester United defender Tuanzebe delivered in a game which he said was the biggest of his career.
Democratic Republic of the Congo enter Group K where they will face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
