Thousands of jubilant fans flooded the streets of Baghdad to welcome home the Iraq national football team following their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The team, popularly known as the “Lions of Mesopotamia,” secured their first World Cup appearance in 40 years after defeating Bolivia 2-1, marking their return since the 1986 tournament in Mexico.
Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein sealed the historic victory, earning Iraq a spot in Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Norway.
On arrival, the players were received by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani before being paraded through the capital in an open-top bus amid cheers from thousands of supporters.
Hassan Khalifa, one of the fans present, described the moment as unforgettable, saying it was “a memory that will remain etched in our minds”.
“This qualification for the World Cup marks the beginning of a new era in the history of Iraqi football,” he said.
In recognition of the “historic achievement,” the Iraqi government announced plans to reward the players with housing, diplomatic passports, and other honours, including commemorative stamps and murals.
Despite the celebrations, the journey to qualification was challenging, as preparations were disrupted by regional conflict, forcing the team to undertake a difficult three-day trip to fulfil their fixture.
Coach Graham Arnold had earlier focused on keeping the squad mentally prepared amid the situation, which has impacted the country in recent weeks.