Haiti, DR Congo End 52-Year World Cup Absence

Haiti and DR Congo will make their return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence, having last appeared in 1974 when DR Congo competed as Zaire. Iraq also ended a 40-year drought by qualifying, while Norway, Scotland, Austria, and Czechia are returning after 28, 28, 28, and 20 years respectively.

The three nations qualified through the expanded 48-team tournament format, with Haiti earning a CONCACAF berth, DR Congo beating Jamaica in the play-in, and Iraq defeating Bolivia 2-1.