OneFootball
·1 April 2026
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Yahoo sportsOneFootball
·1 April 2026
The wait is over. After years, sometimes decades away from the world stage, several nations have officially secured their return to the World Cup.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has undoubtedly made one of the most remarkable comebacks. Absent since 1974, the Leopards are ending a 52-year drought and finally returning to the World Cup.
There is similar relief for Iraq, which is back in the competition after 40 years away, and for Turkey, returning after 24 years away from the biggest international stage.
In Europe, Czechia is ending a 20-year wait, while Sweden returns to the World Cup after an 8-year absence.
Finally, Bosnia and Herzegovina is also making its return, 12 years after its first and only appearance in 2014.
These are all nations writing a new chapter in their history. For them, this qualification is not just a goal achieved: it is a true rebirth.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.
📸 Burak Kara - 2026 Getty Images









































