World Cup qualifying marathon ends with Iraq securing the final spot

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP): The 48-team field for FIFA ‘s biggest-ever World Cup is complete after a qualifying process that spanned more than two and a half years. Iraq edged Bolivia 2-1 in an intercontinental play-off at Monterrey in northern Mexico on Tuesday to secure the 48th spot, hours after Bosnia and Herzegovina upset four-time champion Italy on penalties in European play-offs. The result meant Italy were knocked out in qualifying for a third successive World Cup.