Iraq Secures Spot in 2026 FIFA World Cup: All Teams Confirmed

Iraq has made history by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Bolivia. This victory confirms the participation of all 48 teams in the tournament. With nine Asian teams now qualified, the World Cup will take place across the USA, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The tournament format includes 12 groups, with the top teams advancing to the knockout stages. Read on to find out more about the teams and the match schedule.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 1, 2026, 11:31 IST

Iraq's Historic Qualification

Iraq has officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in the Inter-Confederation qualification final held at Estadio BBVA Bancomer. This achievement confirms that all 48 teams participating in the tournament are now finalized. With Iraq's entry, a total of nine Asian teams will compete, matching Africa's representation and trailing only behind Europe, which has 16 teams qualified.

In a surprising turn of events during the UEFA qualification playoffs on March 31, four-time champions Italy were eliminated after a loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Meanwhile, Sweden, Turkey, and the Czech Republic secured their spots by defeating Poland, Kosovo, and Denmark, respectively. In another playoff, Bolivia triumphed over Japan.

However, the situation remains uncertain for Iran due to ongoing tensions with the USA and Israel. The World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the USA, Mexico, and Canada, with the final match set to occur at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

FIFA World Cup 2026 - Overview

FIFA World Cup 2026 - All 48 Teams Confirmed

FIFA World Cup 2026 Format

The tournament will feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups

FIFA World Cup 2026 Fixture List - Timings in Indian Standard Time (IST)

The group stage will run from June 11 to June 27, 2026, featuring matches such as Mexico vs. South Africa and USA vs. Paraguay. The knockout stage will commence on June 29, leading up to the grand finale on July 20, 2026, at New York's MetLife Stadium.