The World Cup 2026 is all set, as DR Congo and Iraq booked the final two tickets in the quadrennial showpiece event in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The Leopards and the Mesopotamian Lions earned their spots through the recently concluded inter-confederation play-offs.
DR Congo and Iraq received byes as seeded teams in the six-team mini-tournament, having waited for Jamaica and Bolivia to pass through. And earlier today, these four teams battled it out and gave it their all, and it was the Leopards and the Mesopotamian Lions who secured the desired World Cup 2026 results.
It has been a while since DR Congo and Iraq qualified for the World Cup finals, and the SBOTOP World Cup 2026 odds aren’t optimistic on their chances in the actual tournament. However, they’ll use it as motivation to try and shock the world.
Tuanzebe clinches history for DR Congo
DR Congo edged Jamaica in extra time to secure their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, when they were still known as Zaire, as an unlikely source scored the marginal goal in the 100th minute. Axel Tuanzebe has written his name into Congolese football history after he tipped the ball into the net during a late corner kick to send the Leopards through.
The Leopards were the aggressors from the get-go through Cedric Bakambu. The Real Betis forward twice had goals correctly ruled out for offside by the VAR during normal time, and DR Congo had to persevere to find the breakthrough, with Jamaica piling on the pressure.
The Reggae Boyz also had their chances, and they grew into the contest as the match went on. Kasey Palmer’s goal-bound effort forced a save from Chancel Mbemba on the half hour, and Leon Bailey’s left-foot rocket from distance flashed across the goal. But Tuanzebe’s strike, his first for his country, eventually put DR Congo ahead for good, and it could’ve been 2-0 if Edo Kayembe’s attempt during a counterattack didn’t fly over the goal.
The final whistle sent DR Congo fans at home into a frenzy, as they danced in the rain. After more than five decades, a new generation will have its shot at World Cup glory, aiming to banish the ghosts of their horrific outing in 1974.
Arnie Magic brings Iraq back to the finals
Graham Arnold guided Iraq to their first World Cup since 1986 after the Mesopotamian Lions won 2-1 against Bolivia earlier today. Arnold will become the first Australian to coach in back-to-back World Cups, let alone the first to coach a foreign nation in the quadrennial tournament.
Iraq started well, as Aimar Sher set the tone in the middle of the park. After the Sarpsborg 08 star drew a foul on Luis Haquin, Amir Al-Ammari fired a dipping free-kick that forced a cool save from Guillermo Viscarra. They eventually drew first blood in the 10th minute, as Ali Al-Hamadi rose to meet Al-Ammari’s corner with a powerful header.
With Iraq having the early lead, they played compact and were managing the game, but one lapse in concentration turned the match. Ramiro Vaca’s clever pass found an open Moises Paniagua, and the 18-year-old midfielder scored his second goal of the inter-confederation play-offs to tie the score before halftime.
The Mesopotamian Lions came out in the second half with intent, and skipper Aymen Hussein, their leading scorer in the qualifiers, got the job done. Hussein drilled the ball into the net after receiving Marko Farji’s cross from the right side to put his team ahead for good.
Like DR Congo, Iraq will hope to banish the painful memories of their last World Cup appearance, having lost all three group games in 1986.
The final groups of World Cup 2026
With DR Congo and Iraq taking the final two places, the 48-team field is all set this summer. The Top 2 seeds from Groups A to L will directly advance to the knockout stage, while eight third placers will join them, based on ranking.
Here are the final official groups:
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
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