Iraq vs. Bolivia: Final Playoff for a 2026 World Cup Spot

On March 31, Iraq and Bolivia will play for everything in Monterrey in the final playoff for the 2026 World Cup: this match will decide one of the last remaining spots for the FIFA tournament. The Bolivian team arrives at this match after a comeback in its semi-final against Suriname, a result that placed it just one match away from returning to a World Cup after 32 years. On the other side, Iraq aims to repeat its only participation, recorded in Mexico 1986. The winner of this match will join Group I of the World Cup 2026, where the teams from France, Norway, and Senegal are already waiting. The final match for Bolivia and Iraq is on March 31 at 21:00 at the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey and will be streamed on ViX and FIFA+. In case of not recovering, their place could be taken by Lucas Macazaga. Bolivia is ranked 76th by FIFA and aspires to return to a World Cup after nearly three decades. The match between Iraq and Bolivia is part of the final FIFA intercontinental playoff held in Mexico. The winner advanced to the final against the two highest-ranked teams: Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The intercontinental playoff brings together six teams from different confederations: Bolivia, Jamaica, Suriname, New Caledonia, Iraq, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The format saw the four lowest-ranked FIFA teams play in two semi-finals. The South American team had previously participated in Uruguay 1930, Brazil 1950, and USA 1994. Bolivia advanced to this stage after a 2-1 victory over Suriname in Monterrey, a match where they came back in the second half. The Iraqi team's only World Cup appearance was in Mexico 1986, where they lost all three group stage matches: 1-0 to Paraguay, 2-1 against Belgium, and 1-0 against Mexico. The team is coached by Australian manager Graham Arnold and is ranked 59th by FIFA. The team faced logistical difficulties traveling to Mexico due to the conflict in the Middle East, but was able to train normally in the last week. Iraq will look to use its offense to break the Bolivian defense. The coach also recognized that the performance of his young players has accelerated the timeline of the project. The Bolivian coach Óscar Villegas highlighted the importance of the moment the team is going through. The team is very confident and very high emotionally. Iraq is seeking to return to a World Cup after nearly four decades. The penalty that decided the match originated when Juan Godoy came in as a substitute in the 74th minute and was brought down in the area by Leo Abena. Terceros took the shot to the left side of goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen.