Crowds celebrate with Iraq team after 'long awaited' World Cup qualification

Crowds waving Iraqi flags lined the streets of Baghdad on Saturday (April 4), to catch a glimpse of the squad that has qualified for the nation's first World Cup in 40 years.

The national side received an open-top bus parade through the capital, having secured the final spot available for football's biggest competition on Tuesday (March 31) with a 2-1 victory over Bolivia.

Captain Aymen Hussein sat on top of the front of the bus, soaking in the celebrations, after his goal in the 53rd minute was the difference at the Monterrey Stadium, Mexico.

One fan, Moustafa Ali, described Iraq's qualification as long awaited, with their only previous World Cup appearance being in Mexico in 1986, where they lost all three group games.

"A thousand congratulations to the Iraqi people and to the players who did not disappoint the hopes of this nation." Ali said, calling it a joy for the nation.

Iraq will compete in Group I at the June 11 to July 19 World Cup, in a tough group, drawn against 2018 champions France, 2026 AFCON finalists Senegal, and Erling Haaland's Norway.

-Production: Maher Nazeh, Ahmed Saeed, Joseph Andrews/Reuters