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.

Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) has secured the rights to produce and broadcast the second season of the Ariana Snooker Championship, following the success of its inaugural tournament last year.

The second edition of the competition will run from May 11 to May 22, 2026, over a 10-day period across two weeks. Matches will air daily from 13:00 to 18:00 from the ATN Big Studio in Kabul.

Around 60 male players from across the country—including teenagers, young adults and experienced competitors—are expected to take part.

The tournament will follow a structured format beginning with a group stage, progressing to knockout rounds, semifinals and a final. This season will again feature the fast-paced 6-ball snooker format.

The championship builds on a highly competitive first season, which concluded with Naveed Naderi lifting the trophy after a closely contested 7–6 victory over Rayees Khan Hotak in the final. The 32-year-old Naderi, ranked number two in Afghanistan at the time, secured the title following a week of high-quality matches.

Sixteen of the country’s top players—many of them teenagers—competed in the inaugural event, highlighting the depth of emerging talent in Afghan snooker. Wahidullah Asghari, head of the national federation, praised the performances at the time, noting that young players had demonstrated strong potential and pointing to a promising future for the sport.

The first tournament was organised and broadcast nationwide by ATN, underscoring the network’s ongoing commitment to supporting and developing sport in Afghanistan. Its coverage drew significant viewership and helped raise the profile of snooker across the country.

Snooker has grown steadily in popularity in Afghanistan, particularly among younger generations in urban areas, with local clubs and competitions providing a foundation for talent development. The return of the Ariana Snooker Championship is expected to further strengthen that momentum.

With expanded participation and continued national broadcast coverage, organisers say the second season aims to build on last year’s success and provide an even stronger platform for Afghan players to showcase their skills on a national stage.