Person

Ali al-Hamadi

Iraqi striker who scored Iraq's opening goal to launch their first World Cup in 40 years.

Last refreshed: 1 April 2026

Key Question

Can Al-Hamadi deliver at the World Cup finals after qualifying under closed airspace?

Latest on Ali al-Hamadi

#41 Apr

Iraq Qualify for First World Cup in 40 Years

Common Questions

Who scored for Iraq against Bolivia in 2026 World Cup qualifier?: Ali al-Hamadi scored in the 10th minute and Aymen Hussein added a second on 53 minutes. Bolivia's Moisés Paniagua scored a consolation. Iraq won 2-1.Source: Al Jazeera

Background

Ali al-Hamadi is an Iraqi striker who plays club football in Europe and represents the Iraqi national team. On 31 March 2026, he scored Iraq's opening goal in the 10th minute of their World Cup playoff against Bolivia in Monterrey, helping Iraq qualify for the tournament for the first time in 40 years.

The match was played amid extraordinary logistics. Iraqi airspace had been closed since the Iran-US conflict escalated in March, forcing players to travel on separate chartered flights through third countries. Coach Graham Arnold waited outside the team hotel to receive European-based players arriving independently. Al-Hamadi's early goal settled nerves and established the platform Iraq held through to a final 2-1 victory. Iraq join Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway.

How the World Sees Them

Iraq

Al-Hamadi's goal became a symbol of national resilience, scored on the same day Iraqi players were navigating closed airspace and shuttered embassies to reach the stadium.

Bolivia

Bolivia's 2-1 defeat to Iraq in Monterrey ended their qualification hopes and denied them a return to the World Cup for the first time in a generation.

CONCACAF/AFC

The intercontinental playoff format gave Iraq the opportunity to qualify through a single match against a CONMEBOL side. The result validated the expanded 48-team format.