Crowds welcome Iraqi soccer team's return as they celebrate World Cup qualification
Fans flood Baghdad to celebrate Iraq’s soccer team as they secure a World Cup spot after four decades.
Reuters
April 04, 2026
Iraqis gather to celebrate as the national football team moves on an open-top bus during a public reception after qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1986, in Baghdad, Iraq April 4, 2026.
Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters
Crowds gathered to welcome the Iraqi soccer team back to Baghdad on Saturday (April 4), after they grabbed the last available place at the World Cup.
The team arrived on a bus that was surrounded by fans as it drove through the street.
Iraq beat Bolivia 2-1 in their inter-confederation playoff on Tuesday (March 31), sealing their return to the finals after a 40-year absence.
Iraq will compete in Group I at the June 11 to July 19 World Cup along with France, Norway and Senegal.
Production: Maher Nazeh, Natasa Bansagi/Reuters
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