MONTERREY, Mexico (AP):
The 48-team field for FIFA ‘s biggest-ever World Cup is complete after a qualifying process that spanned more than two and a half years.
Iraq edged Bolivia 2-1 in an intercontinental play-off at Monterrey in northern Mexico on Tuesday to secure the 48th spot, hours after Bosnia and Herzegovina upset four-time champion Italy on penalties in European play-offs. The result meant Italy were knocked out in qualifying for a third successive World Cup.
Eight teams from Europe were competing for four places on the last day of qualifying. The new intercontinental tournament staged in Mexico determined the other two remaining places. The next-to-last nation to advance was the Democratic Republic of Congo, who edged Jamaica 1-0 in extra time at Guadalajara, Mexico.
Sweden, Turkey and the Czech Republic each qualified in European play-off finals.
Sweden beat Poland 3-2; Turkey edged Kosovo 1-0; and the Czech Republic beat Denmark in a penalty shoot-out.
The World Cup kicks off June 11 and will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It will feature 12 groups of four teams.
With their big upset victory of Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified to join Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B.
Sweden will play in Group F with the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia. Turkey will be in Group D with the United States, Paraguay and Australia.
After reaching their first World Cup since 2006, the Czech team will play in Group A with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.
The World Cup qualifiers for the 2026 tournament started September 7, 2023 with matches in South America.
World Cup groups
Mexico, Czech Republic, South Africa, South Korea
Group B
Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland
Group C
Brazil, Haiti, Morocco, Scotland
Group D
United States, Australia, Paraguay, Turkey
Group E
Curacao, Ecuador, German,y Ivory Coast
Group F
Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G
Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H
Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Uruguay
Group I
France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq
Group J
Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Jordan
Group K
Colombia, Congo, Portugal, Uzbekistan
Group L
Croatia, England, Ghana, Panama
