Sport
Iraq seal final spot as FIFA World Cup 2026 line-up confirmed
The line-up for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is now complete, with Iraq claiming the final berth to cap off a historic and expanded qualification campaign.
Iraq secured their place with a decisive victory over Bolivia in the intercontinental play-off tournament at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico, becoming the 48th and last team to qualify. The win places Iraq in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway, setting up a challenging group-stage campaign.
Striker Aymen Hussein scored the crucial goal that sealed qualification and brought Iraq’s long journey to a triumphant conclusion.
The result also marked the end of an extensive global qualifying process that spanned 937 days, featuring 899 matches and producing 2,527 goals at an average of 2.8 per game.
Iraq’s campaign, which began in September 2023, culminated in one of the nation’s most significant football achievements in recent years.
Elsewhere, Europe’s remaining places were decided through tightly contested play-offs. Czechia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Türkiye and Sweden all secured qualification after dramatic fixtures played across multiple cities, completing the continent’s representation at the tournament.
In another play-off clash held in Mexico, DR Congo edged Jamaica 1-0 in Guadalajara to book their place in Group K, where they are set to face Portugal in their opening match in Houston, Texas.
The play-off tournament also doubled as a test event for host venues in Monterrey and Guadalajara, which will stage matches during the World Cup. The fixtures drew strong crowds, with more than 160,000 fans attending across the games, offering an early glimpse of the atmosphere expected next year.
A historic expansion
The 2026 edition of the World Cup will be the largest in history, expanding from 32 to 48 teams for the first time. The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, marking the first time three nations jointly stage the event.
A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 host cities between 11 June and 19 July, with organisers expecting more than six million fans to attend. The expanded format aims to increase global representation, giving more nations from Africa, Asia and the Americas an opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage.
The tournament is projected to reach a worldwide audience of around six billion people, underlining the sport’s vast global appeal. With the final qualification spot now filled, attention turns to final preparations, ticket sales, and minor scheduling adjustments ahead of what is expected to be the most inclusive World Cup ever staged.
FIFA says the 2026 tournament will showcase not only elite competition but also the unifying power of football across continents, cultures and generations.
Abu Muslim Farah beat Omar Zawak Herat 4-0 in the 30th match of the sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League, delivering an impressive performance.
The match was played today (Wednesday) at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium.
Samiullah Naderi scored Abu Muslim Farah’s opening goal in the final minutes of the first half.
Abu Muslim Farah continued their attacking play in the second half, with Aman Sardari scoring the team’s second goal in the 69th minute with a spectacular header.
Omid Rajabi and Mirois Ghafouri then added two more goals to complete a 4-0 victory for Abu Muslim Farah.
Amanullah Sardari, captain of Abu Muslim Farah, was named Player of the Match against Omar Zawak Herat.
Abu Muslim Farah will face Ariana Khost in their next match on October 2, while Omar Zawak Herat will take on Istiqlal Kabul on the same day.
The sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League is being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s High Performance Center is set to launch a nationwide fast-bowling talent identification program, titled “Afghan Thunder,” across several provinces throughout October.
According to the ACB, the program will begin in Kunduz on October 4, with assessments continuing in Herat, Kandahar, Kabul, Khost, Paktia and Kunar before concluding in Nangarhar on October 27.
The board says eligible participants must be between 19 and 26 years old, at least 180 centimeters tall, hold a valid electronic National ID (e-Tazkira) and be capable of bowling at speeds of at least 140 kilometers per hour.
The assessment schedule is as follows: Kunduz on October 4–5, Herat on October 9–10, Kandahar on October 12, Kabul on October 14–15, Khost on October 19, Paktia on October 21, Kunar on October 25 and Nangarhar on October 27.
The ACB has encouraged eligible players who believe they have the potential to develop into high-level fast bowlers to take part in the Afghan Thunder Fast-Bowling Talent Hunt Program on the designated dates.
The board says the initiative aims to identify promising fast-bowling talent from across Afghanistan and provide talented players with a pathway into the country’s high-performance cricket system.
Toofan Herat and Aino Mina Kandahar drew 1-1 in the 29th match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan on Tuesday.
Enayatullah Koohi scored the opening goal for Toofan Herat in the first half, but Ahmad Nabi Moqaddas equalized for Aino Mina Kandahar in the 32nd minute.
Both teams created chances to score in the second half, but neither side was able to find the net, and the match ended 1-1.
Toofan Herat committed 12 fouls and received one yellow card, while Aino Mina Kandahar committed 16 fouls and received two yellow cards.
Toofan Herat will face Arman FC in their next match on October 1, while Aino Mina Kandahar will take on Abu Muslim Farah on October 2.
The sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League is being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
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