"The Lions of Mesopotamia" Earn $10.5 Million After Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup
April 1, 20261132 ViewsRead Time: 1 Minutes
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Iraq's national football team has officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup after defeating Bolivia (2-1) in the decisive match of the global playoff, held in Monterrey, Mexico, marking Iraq's return to the tournament after a 40-year absence since the 1986 edition in Mexico.
Iraq's goals were scored by Ali Al-Hamadi and Ayman Hussein, while Moises Paniagua scored Bolivia's only goal. Thus, Iraq became the last team to secure a spot among the 48 qualified for the World Cup, joining a group that includes France, Portugal, and Norway.
Huge Financial Rewards for Players and the Iraqi Federation
Iraq has earned $10.5 million from FIFA after qualifying, which includes:
$1.5 million as an initial contribution before the tournament starts to cover the costs of camps, travel, and preparations.
$9 million as a guaranteed bonus for each team participating in the first round of the World Cup, even if they do not qualify for the subsequent rounds.
This qualification makes Iraq the eighth Arab team to participate in the 2026 World Cup after Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Jordan, and Qatar, marking a record Arab presence in the largest tournament in the world.
