A final chance to play in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be up for grabs when Iraq square off with Bolivia at Monterrey Stadium.
How to watch
You can purchase tickets to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament here. You can also stream the match for free on FIFA+ (available in most territories).
Iraq v Bolivia
Kick-off times
21:00 in Monterrey
06:00 (Wednesday 1 April) in Baghdad
23:00 in La Paz
Forty years after appearing in their lone World Cup at Mexico 1986, Iraq hope the North American country is once again the stage for a historical moment in their football. The Lions of Mesopotamia emerged from the fifth round of AFC qualifying with a dramatic 3-2 aggregate victory United Arab Emirates to punch their ticket to the play-off. Graham Arnold’s men will have spent more than a week in Monterrey by kick-off, and already the squad have endeared themselves to the locals, which should lead to ample support for Tuesday’s showdown.
Meanwhile, it wasn’t easy, but Bolivia got the job done in their semi-final against Suriname, rallying from a second-half deficit to edge the Concacaf side, 2-1. Largely kept in check in the first hour, La Verde kicked into gear with the introduction of 18-year-old Moises Paniagua, and tallied two goals in eight minutes to turn the tables. Like Iraq, Bolivia are pursuing a World Cup dream many years in the making, as USA 1994 remains the last time the South Americans appeared at the global finals. Coach Oscar Villegas has his players 90 minutes away from breaking the drought.
Players to watch
While Iraq will be without goalkeeper and captain Jalal Hassan and left-back Ahmed Yahya due to injury, there is still plenty of talent within Arnold’s squad. Ali Jasim sizzled during qualifying and the 22-year-old attacker will surely test the Bolivian back line. When it comes to Iraq and goals, one name immediately comes to mind: Aymen Hussein. The 30-year-old dangerman tallied eight goals in the Asian preliminaries and would like nothing better than to add to that total in Monterrey.
Bolivia’s playmakers were kept in check by Suriname until the hour mark, when the entrance of young playmaker Moises Paniagua set the pieces in motion for a comeback victory. Winger Ramiro Vaca found space on the flanks to pull apart the Suriname defence, allowing more room for Miguel Terceros to operate. That trio will be called upon to do the same against the Lions of Mesopotamia.
Quotes
“The most important thing is that we get things right with ourselves. We have to make sure that our preparation is right and that the players are fit and ready. Then, we go for it. I can tell you that we won’t go there trying not to lose. When we get on that pitch we’ll give it full gas for 95 or 120 minutes or however long it takes to win that game.”
Graham Arnold, Iraq coach
“Iraq are a team on another level, but so are we. We are up for doing big things, so we are working hard and hoping for the best.”
Miguel Terceros, Bolivia forward
Stats
What’s at stake
The winner advances to World Cup 2026 Group I alongside France, Norway and Senegal.
