Iraq vs Bolivia Betting Tips & Predictions - Tight World Cup Playoff Expected
In a highly anticipated World Cup playoff, Iraq will face Bolivia at the Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe. This match marks their second encounter, with the previous one ending goalless in 2018. Both teams have been strong defensively, making a tight contest likely, with under 2.5 goals expected. Iraq has been in good form recently, narrowly missing out on automatic qualification, whereas Bolivia, after a dramatic win over Suriname, aims for their first World Cup appearance since 1994. Expect a thrilling match with a possibility of extra time.
- A place in the World Cup finals is up for grabs in Mexico
- Low-scoring outcome tipped in Tuesday's showdown
- Get our Iraq vs Bolivia tips in the World Cup playoffs
- Iraq vs Bolivia Predictions
- Tight Contest Likely
- Iraq and Bolivia Set For Second Encounter
- Iraq Face First Fixture in 2026
- Bolivia Edge Past Suriname
- Predicted Lineups and Team News
Iraq vs Bolivia Predictions
With so much at stake, a tense and nervy contest looks likely in neutral Mexico. I'm backing under 2.5 goals, with this World Cup playoff expected to go the distance.
Tight Contest Likely
- Iraq have seen under 2.5 goals in 7 of their last 9 matches
- Iraq scored an average of 0.9 goals per game in their last 11 matches
- Iraq drew 2 of their last 3 matches (World Cup qualifiers)
- Bolivia have seen under 2.5 goals in 3 of their last 5 matches
- Bolivia scored an average of 0.72 goals per game in their last 11 matches
Iraq and Bolivia Set For Second Encounter
Iraq and Bolivia will meet for the second time at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe. Their only previous encounter, a friendly in 2018, finished goalless.
Iraq Face First Fixture in 2026
Iraq return to action after a near four-month layoff following their quarter-final exit at the Arab Cup. After winning two of three group-stage fixtures, Graham Arnold's side were eliminated with a 1-0 quater-final defeat against Jordan.
Unfortunate not to progress further, Iraq registered 21 shots to their opponents' six but were unable to recover from Ali Olwan's first-half penalty.
Now 58th in the FIFA World Rankings, Iraq have been in excellent form over the past year. The Lions of Mesopotamia won seven of nine unbeaten fixtures between June and December, before suffering two defeats in four games at the Arab Cup.
Defensive strength has taken the nation to the verge of a first World Cup qualification since 1986. Iraq have conceded just 11 goals in 18 qualifiers over the past two years.
Arnold's men finished third in AFC Qualification Group 3, missing out on an automatic qualification spot by just one point.
Bolivia Edge Past Suriname
Bolivia secured their place in Tuesday's FIFA World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoffs with a dramatic turnaround win against Suriname last week.
Despite those struggles, they are now on the verge of a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1994.
Trailing to Liam van Gelderen's 48th-minute opener, goals from Moises Paniagua (72') and Miguelito (79', pen) completed an impressive comeback victory.
La Verde had won just one of eight previous internationals - a 3-0 friendly victory against Trinidad and Tobago earlier this month.
Oscar Villegas's side lost ten of 18 World Cup qualifiers and conceded 28 goals in nine away fixtures before last week's win in Mexico.
Predicted Lineups and Team News
Iraq (4-2-3-1) Fahad Talib; Hussein Ali, Rebin Sulaka, Manaf Younis, Merchas Doski; Amir Al-Ammari, Zidane Iqbal; Ibrahim Bayesh, Ali Jasim, Youssef Amyn; Aymen Hussein
Iraq boss Arnold has a 26-man squad available for Tuesday's FIFA World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoff contest.
Aymen Hussein is likely to win his 93rd cap this week. The Al-Karma forward has scored 32 international goals since his debut in 2015.
Arnold admitted the scale of the challenge as he looks to guide Iraq to their first World Cup in 40 years.
“Before I took the job, I got told it was probably one of the toughest jobs in the world,” Arnold revealed.
“Iraq hasn't qualified for a World Cup for 40 years, it's a big challenge with a lot of pressure, and they are a nation of 46 million that is obsessed with football.”
Bolivia (4-3-3) Guillermo Viscarra; Diego Medina, Luis Haquin, Efrain Morales, Roberto Fernandez; Robson Tome, Moises Paniagua, Gabriel Villamil; Miguel Terceros, Enzo Monteiro, Ramiro Vaca
Bolivian boss Villegas could make one or two changes to his first XI on Tuesday. Moises Paniagua is tipped to earn a starting berth after his match-winning contribution off the bench against Suriname.
Experienced midfielder Ramiro Vaca is poised to win his 47th cap.
Verdict
Both nations will have reason to fancy their chances, but a tense contest looks likely in Mexico. I'm backing under 2.5 goals, with extra time and penalties a strong possibility.
Under 2.5 Goals
Total Goals
@4/7 - 3 Units
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Draw
Full Time Result
@11/5 - 1 Unit
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1-1
Correct Score
@11/2 - 1 Unit
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