Al-Hamadi Nets as Iraq Win World Cup Finals Place
Wednesday, 1st Apr 2026 09:29

On-loan Blues striker Ali Al-Hamadi scored the opening goal as Iraq beat Bolivia 2-1 in their inter-confederation play-off to claim a place at this summer’s World Cup finals.

Al-Hamadi, 24, who is spending the season on loan at Luton Town, put his side ahead in the 10th minute with a header from a corner, before the South Americans levelled on 38 through Moises Paniagua.

But the Iraqis weren’t to be denied victory, Aymen Hussein netting what proved to be the winning goal eight minutes into the second half.

Iraq, who will be at their first World Cup appearance since 1986, will be grouped with France, Norway and Senegal at the finals.

They will face the Norwegians in their opening game in Boston on June 16th, then the French in Philadelphia on June 22nd and the Senegalese in Toronto four days later.

Al-Hamadi, who still has two years left on his Town contract, becomes the second Blues player whose nation has made the finals, following George Hirst and Scotland.

The former AFC Wimbledon man was winning his 16th cap with the goal his fifth, and by far the most important, of his international career.

Town have previously had 10 players feature at World Cup finals, Mick Mills, Paul Mariner, Terry Butcher (all England), John Wark, Alan Brazil (Scotland), Bontcho Guentchev (Bulgaria), Matt Holland (Republic of Ireland), Amir Karic (Slovenia) Tommy Smith (New Zealand) and Jonas Knudsen (Denmark), while the likes of John Elsworthy (Wales), George Burley (Scotland) and Bartosz Bialkowski (Poland) have been in squads for finals without playing, and in Elsworthy’s case in 1958 without travelling.

Photo: Reuters

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MickMillsTash added 09:32 - Apr 1 He comes from Iraq He plays in Attack
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howsey51 added 09:43 - Apr 1 Congratulations Ali, amazing achievement. I see Tuanzebe scored the winning goal to take DRC there too…
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d77sgw added 09:46 - Apr 1 Fantastic for the lad. You can never doubt his effort, and I hope this kick starts a positive end to what’s been a difficult season with injuries etc
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RobITFC added 10:05 - Apr 1 Ex player , Axel Tuenzebe also the hero for DR Congo
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RobITFC added 10:05 - Apr 1 Ex player , Axel Tuenzebe also the hero for DR Congo
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runningout added 10:12 - Apr 1 don’t get too excited RobITFC
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Orraman added 10:14 - Apr 1

Quite ironic that Ipswich, who have many fans who derided our lack of strikers, now have two strikers who in all probability be going to World Cup finals. Ali still relatively young and this can only boost his confidence. Could we yet see his return to PR next season? Like George, there is no denying his work ethic and would be great if both could refine their goal scoring attempts

IBelieve added 10:36 - Apr 1 Sign him up !
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baxterbasics added 11:07 - Apr 1 AAH scores a winning international goal? Is this an April Fools? Seriously though, pleased for the chap.
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Beattiesballbag added 11:42 - Apr 1 baxterbasics, Don't you think it's worth reading the story, before making a comment ?
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Keanos_Barmy added 14:40 - Apr 1 Pity he didn't choose to represent England
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Motown added 18:33 - Apr 1 So pleased for Ali - a lovely guy who's had to work harder than most for everything he's achieved. Hope this is a real boost after a tough couple of seasons. He will always be the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League, and an Ipswich Town player when he scored the goal that helped them reach the World Cup for the first time in 40 years. That's pretty good.
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armchaircritic59 added 18:42 - Apr 1 Well done Ali, best of luck across the pond in the summer.
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armchaircritic59 added 18:46 - Apr 1 Orraman, yes that is quite some irony isn't it! Having watched England struggle badly last night without HK, I doubt Ali would have done any worse than what was put out to " replace " him!
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PortmanTerrorist added 10:58 - Apr 2

armchaircritic59 fair point....and don't tell me he would not have played significant minutes the way our 'strikers' performed in 1st half of the season ! Yes he is raw, but folks so easily forget the volume and variety of goals he scored before he came to Town. The lad has something and could not be happier and more proud to see him at The World Cup.....Ashton won't be complaining either if he scores and next thing you know we are getting £10m offered by Serie A Clubs ! lol

Linkboy13 added 15:07 - Apr 2 Players who are not in the team all of a sudden become highly rated.
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armchaircritic59 added 17:59 - Apr 2

PortmanTerrorist, yes just pleased for the guy. Things always just seemed to conspire against him here, maybe right club wrong time. I would put money on him having as many goals as CB and IA have put together if he'd been here and fit of course. Maybe he isn't a long term solution, but like IA he would never lack for effort or commitment. He's now going to the world cup and I wish him well. As I would with any player associated with ITFC.