"Despite the war, supporters flooded Baghdad's main shopping areas at dawn to celebrate their team's triumph. This victory is incredibly precious to us, despite the war raging, Ahmed, 22, told the AFP news agency outside a cafe in the central Karrada district."
"The jubilant crowd, some moved to tears, brought traffic to a standstill as thousands waved Iraqi flags while standing on top of cars and trucks. Street tea vendors, who typically struggle to make ends meet, shouted tea for free as they too were caught up in the euphoria."
"Despite the dire economic situation and the war, our national team won, Ali al-Muhandis told AFP, his voice hoarse from cheering. We in Iraq excel in exceptional circumstances."
The Lions of Mesopotamia secured their World Cup spot with a 2-1 victory over Bolivia, marking Iraq's first qualification since 1986. This achievement occurred during the US-Israel war on Iran, which has impacted Iraq. Despite the violence, celebrations erupted in Baghdad, with supporters uniting across sects. The victory brought joy amid economic struggles and conflict, reminiscent of Iraq's 2007 Asian Cup win. The team faced challenges traveling to Mexico, including a partially overland journey due to travel restrictions.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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