Iraq clinched the last available spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bolivia in Monterrey, sealing their return to the finals after a four-decade absence. Aymen Hussein netted the decisive second-half goal after Ali Al Hamadi put Iraq ahead early, while Moises Paniagua briefly drew Bolivia level before halftime. Iraq’s win makes them the 48th and final team to qualify for this summer’s expanded tournament hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The global qualifying campaign concluded with a total of 899 matches played over 937 days. This edition will be the largest-ever world cup, featuring 48 nations, up from the usual 32. The tournament will span 104 matches in 16 different venues across three countries. Group stages have been reorganized into twelve groups.
Final Teams Confirmed After Playoff Drama
Tuesday’s play-offs determined the last six entrants. Alongside Iraq, DR Congo also secured qualification by edging Jamaica 1-0 in Mexico. European playoffs delivered high stakes and upsets: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic (Czechia), Turkey (Turkiye), and Sweden filled Europe’s remaining quota at the expense of former champions Italy. Bosnia’s achievement was met with significant celebration as they eliminated Italy from contention.
This year’s tournament will see several debutants on football’s biggest stage. Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan are set to make their first-ever appearances at a World Cup finals.
Defending champions Argentina will aim to retain their title under Lionel Messi’s leadership after triumphing in Qatar in 2022.
The opening match on June 11 revisits a classic pairing as hosts Mexico face South Africa in Mexico City, a nod to their memorable opener at the 2010 tournament.
Group Allocations and Host Nations’ Paths
The group draw has generated notable talking points. Iraq join Group I alongside France, Norway, and Senegal, a challenging combination for their first finals since the mid-1980s.
Group A features hosts Mexico facing South Korea and Czechia, forming one of the competition’s more demanding quartets on paper.
Canada’s challenge is underscored by a group containing Switzerland, Qatar, and Bosnia. The expanded format means more teams have a chance to progress, but it also increases group-stage competition for established footballing nations and newcomers alike.
Liverpool Contingent Poised for Major Involvement
With all qualifiers decided, club squads are assessing which players will be involved in North America this summer. Liverpool could see up to 16 of their players called up across eleven national teams.
Alisson Becker is aiming to recover fitness to reclaim his role as Brazil’s number one goalkeeper, a critical position for a side seeking its first title in nearly a quarter-century.
Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk is expected to lead the Netherlands’ quest for a maiden championship, joined by teammates Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, and potentially Jeremie Frimpong. Frimpong faces a race against injury after picking up a knock this week. France could draw on Ibrahima Konate and Hugo Ekitike from Liverpool; Ekitike has bolstered his case for inclusion through consistent performances over the past year.
Germany Selection Dilemmas: Sané’s Uncertain Status
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann faces tactical decisions regarding his attacking options heading into June. Leroy Sané remains almost certain to be included in Germany’s squad after recent call-ups but is not guaranteed a starting berth.
Sané started Germany’s recent friendly victory over Switzerland but failed to impress according to reports. He later assisted Deniz Undav’s winner against Ghana after coming off the bench.
Competition is fierce within Nagelsmann’s setup. Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz are established starters, while Jamal Musiala is another strong contender should he regain full fitness. Sané’s club manager at Galatasaray has publicly supported his international selection but acknowledged that securing a regular starting spot will be challenging given Germany’s depth in attacking roles.
Despite not fully meeting Nagelsmann’s expectations since his move from Bayern Munich, Sané has six goals and eight assists in 35 appearances for Galatasaray. His versatility keeps him firmly in contention ahead of Germany’s campaign in North America.
The World Cup kicks off on June 11 with Mexico versus South Africa at Mexico City’s iconic venue.
