Kurdistan PM Barzani Congratulates Iraq on Historic 2026 World Cup Qualification
Kurdistan's premier praises national team’s success as country ends decades-long World Cup absence
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Wednesday congratulated the Iraqi national football team on securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a major milestone for Iraqi football.
“I congratulate the Iraqi national football team on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. I wish continued success to all the athletes and players of the national team,” Barzani wrote on his official X account.
The qualification ends a decades-long wait for Iraqi fans, as the national team returns to the world’s biggest football stage for the first time since 1986. The achievement has sparked widespread celebrations across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
According to reports, the Iraqi national team secured its place in the 2026 tournament after defeating the Bolivia national football team 2–1 in a match held in Monterrey, Mexico. The game, which kicked off early Wednesday morning, saw Iraqi players deliver a strong performance to clinch qualification.
The victory brings an end to nearly 40 years of absence from the World Cup, fulfilling the hopes of millions of supporters. The upcoming tournament is set to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking a historic return for Iraq to the global football stage.
Football clubs from the Kurdistan Region have emerged as some of the strongest in Iraq and have increasingly made their mark in regional competitions, winning domestic championships and competing at higher levels in the Middle East.
Analysts say this progress reflects sustained institutional support and a broader strategy to promote sports as a tool for youth engagement and social cohesion.
Barzani has repeatedly highlighted the importance of sports in fostering unity and national pride, with football in particular serving as a shared passion that transcends ethnic and political divides within Iraq.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has placed growing emphasis on sports development in recent years, with particular attention from Prime Minister Barzani toward football.
Investments in infrastructure, youth programs, and professional clubs have contributed to raising the level of the game across the Kurdistan Region.