- Title: Heartbroken but proud, Bolivian fans rally behind team after Iraq defeat
- Date: 1st April 2026
- Summary: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (APRIL 1, 2026) (REUTERS) CHILDREN WATCHING AND CHEERING THE GAME BETWEEN BOLIVIA AN IRAQ AS BOLIVIA HAS AN ATTEMPT ON GOAL FAN ON HIS KNEES HOLDING A BOLIVIAN FLAG CRYING AFTER THE MATCH FAN HOLDING A BOLIVIAN FLAG VARIOUS OF FANS WATCHING THE GAME (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DAVID MEDINA, BOLIVIAN FAN, SAYING: “Bolivia played well. We will always stand for Bo
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Bolivia FIFA Iraq World Cup football soccer
- Location: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
- City: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
- Country: Bolivia
- Topics: South America / Central America,Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001914301042026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Millions of Bolivian fans were left heartbroken after losing to Iraq, dashing hopes across the Andean nation in a dramatic intercontinental playoff on Tuesday (March 31).
At fan gatherings across Bolivia, supporters watched nervously as their team, trailing 2-1 pressed for a late equaliser, only for the final whistle to confirm their elimination.
The victory sent Iraq back to football's biggest stage for the first time since its only previous World Cup appearance in 1986, ending a 40-year absence.
Iraq now joins Group I at the 2026 tournament alongside France, Senegal and Norway, in what is widely expected to be one of the toughest groups in the competition.
(Production: Monica Machicao, Revathi Hariharan) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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