World Cup qualifying Iraqi national football team cheered in Ramadi
Iraq celebrates historic World Cup qualification as fans in Ramadi welcome the national football team, marking a unifying moment after 40 years. The team secured their spot with a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in Mexico.
Maher Nazeh, Reim Nahaboo/Reuters
April 04, 2026
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani welcomes members of the Iraqi national football team along with the coaching staff upon their arrival in Baghdad after qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1986, in Baghdad, Iraq, April 3, 2026.
Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office/Reuters
Large crowds in Ramadi waved Iraqi flags and surrounded the Iraqi national football team as they arrived by bus on Friday (April 3) after qualifying for the World Cup.
The team travelled overland via Jordan due to the closed Iraqi airspace as a result of the war in Iran.
Fans said they had waited 40 years to qualify and said this victory united the Iraqi sects.
The Iraqi team qualified for the World Cup after defeating Bolivia 2-1 in a match held in Mexico on Wednesday, April 1st.
-Maher Nazeh, Reim Nahaboo/Reuters
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