President Barzani congratulates Iraqi national football team on FIFA qualification
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday congratulated the Iraqi national football team for qualifying for the FIFA World Cup after 40 years of absence.
Following Iraq’s victory over Bolivia, scoring two goals to one on Wednesday, “I extend my warmest congratulations to all the people of Iraq, the sports community, and the players of the national team,” President Barzani said in a statement.
Since Iraq’s national team has been absent from the World Cup for 40 years, having qualified only once previously in the 1986 FIFA World Cup—where they were eliminated in the group stage after losing to Paraguay, Belgium, and Mexico’s national teams—“is joyful news and a source of pride for all Iraqis,” President Barzani stated.
The 23rd FIFA World Cup 2026 will run from June 11 to July 19. It will be the first edition hosted by three nations and expanded to include 48 teams instead of the usual 32. Canada, Mexico, and the United States will jointly host the tournament across 16 cities—11 in the US, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani also declared a two-day holiday starting Wednesday after congratulating the national team.
Following Iraq’s victory over Bolivia, scoring two goals to one on Wednesday, “I extend my warmest congratulations to all the people of Iraq, the sports community, and the players of the national team,” President Barzani said in a statement.
Since Iraq’s national team has been absent from the World Cup for 40 years, having qualified only once previously in the 1986 FIFA World Cup—where they were eliminated in the group stage after losing to Paraguay, Belgium, and Mexico’s national teams—“is joyful news and a source of pride for all Iraqis,” President Barzani stated.
The 23rd FIFA World Cup 2026 will run from June 11 to July 19. It will be the first edition hosted by three nations and expanded to include 48 teams instead of the usual 32. Canada, Mexico, and the United States will jointly host the tournament across 16 cities—11 in the US, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani also declared a two-day holiday starting Wednesday after congratulating the national team.