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Iraqi soccer fans celebrate the end of their 40 year World Cup drought

Iraqi soccer fans celebrate the end of their 40 year World Cup drought ![Rochester Hills

World Cup: Can Senegal stun France again? Predictions, schedule on Day 6

celebrate.” Another Iraq supporter described the emotions as bittersweet. “As Iraqis, after more than 40 years, we have qualified for the World Cup,” Taha Mohamed said. “It brings a feeling of joy and comfort

‘We are fighters’: Iraq aim to shock rivals at 2026 World Cup

World Cup qualification for the first time since 1986. The first goal scorer on that famous March night was Ali Al-Hamadi, a 24-year-old forward who has spent the season on loan

Wars, sanctions and punishments: Iraq's 40-year World Cup wait

fan, desperately hoping that his successors can fare a little better even if games against Norway, France and Senegal look daunting. The 66-year-old will, along with the vast majority of the 46 million

'Mazadona', 'Einstein', 'The Ant' - 20 new players to watch at World Cup

World Cup. ## 9. Can Uzun (Turkey) **Age:** 20 **Position:** Midfielder **Club:** Eintracht Frankfurt ![Uzun celebrates after scoring Turkey's second goal in their 4-0 friendly win over North Macedonia on 1 June](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk

USA vs Paraguay: World Cup fever grips Los Angeles despite Trump policies

celebrates the return of the FIFA World Cup to Southern California after 32 years. Despite his love of the game and the tournament, Cortes will not attend a single World Cup fixture in the football

‘Lion of Mesopotamia’: How Aymen Hussein beat tragedy to reach World Cup

celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Bolivia at the FIFA World Cup – Inter-Confederation Playoffs Final at Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, March 31, 2026 [Raquel Cunha/Reuters] ## A violent legacy Born

For many fans, the World Cup begins with a pack of stickers. The U.S. is catching up

fans packing the inside of the Rose Bowl prior to the World Cup final on July 17, 1994. Trees, including palm trees, rise up behind the stadium.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1971x1971+515+0/resize/100/quality/85/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F44%2F98%2Fb72ac1244a78880bc2f0e29a2dec%2Fap319978140860.jpg)](https://www.npr.org/2026/05/09/nx-s1-5795791/2026-history-soccer-fifa-world-cup-fans) ### [Soccer Edition](https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-98388/2026-world-cup-north-america)