Iraq has secured a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in 40 years and only the second time in their history, with coach Graham Arnold and players Mohammed Ali Ibrahim Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein scoring goals in a 2-1 intercontinental playoff win over Bolivia. Despite a series of challenges, including the aftermath of the Israel and the United States' attack on Iran, which resulted in a chain reaction that saw missiles flying across the Middle East, causing flights to be grounded and flights grounded across the region. Arnold, who took over for the sacked Jesús Casas last year, was stranded in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and Dubai, while the members of his squad based in Iraq and its neighbours faced similar situations. Despite these challenges, Arnold managed to secure a place at the World Cup and is now set to become the first Australian to lead two counties to a World Cup.