All eyes turn to the 'BBVA' stadium at dawn on Wednesday in the Mexican city of Monterrey, where the Iraqi national team will play the final of the World Playoff Path B against Bolivia, in a match described by the Iraqi public as the 'match of a lifetime'.

The whistle for the start will blow at six in the morning Baghdad and Mecca time, which corresponds to nine in the evening local time in Mexico on Tuesday, in a night that the 'Lions of Mesopotamia' want to be a gateway to a historic return to the World Cup for the second time after participating in 1986.

The Bolivian team reached the final playoff after defeating Suriname 2-1, setting up a date with Iraq in a confrontation that leaves no room for half measures.

As for Iraq, they have undergone a long qualification journey that lasted for more than two and a half years, witnessing ups and downs, before reaching this decisive juncture that could end a nearly 40-year ordeal in attempts to reach the World Cup again.

Returning to Mexico holds special symbolism; Iraq's only participation was in the 1986 Mexico World Cup in a group that included the host country, Paraguay, and Belgium, with the late Ahmed Radhi scoring Iraq's sole goal.

On the other hand, two points require precise handling: the first is the slow transition from offensive to defensive mode after losing possession, which might give Bolivia spaces to penetrate, and the second is the need to increase the conversion rate of opportunities into goals on a night that cannot afford waste.

The Bolivian team enters the confrontation motivated by a moral victory over Suriname 2-1 in the semi-final path, and usually relies on transitions and direct play when regaining the ball. They have players who excel in exploiting spaces and will try to impose a rhythm that disrupts the Iraqi build-up, targeting spaces between the lines and exploiting any uncalculated advances.

Expectations point to a cautious start and tough initial minutes for Iraq; an early goal for either side could change the confrontation's equation. Here, the role of mental discipline emerges, and avoiding engagement with Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton, known for frequently showing colored cards, as the technical staff emphasized avoiding arguments and maintaining focus.

Despite the logistical and financial challenges related to tickets and bank transfers, a notable Iraqi presence is expected in Monterrey, nearing five thousand fans, alongside local Mexican sympathy seen in training, which might give the 'Lions of Mesopotamia' an additional moral boost in the 'BBVA' stands.

Why is it considered the match of a lifetime?

Because it could place Iraq in the World Cup for the second time in its history after 1986, and because it comes after a long and exhausting qualification path, and because it coincides with the aspirations of an entire generation of players and fans to break a nearly four-decade jinx. Victory will bring Iraq back to the global stage, while failure will postpone the dream again.

Between the symbolism of returning to Mexico where the story began in 1986, and the ambition of a generation wanting to write a new chapter, Iraq enters the Monterrey test with the weight of history and the hopes of millions. The ninety minutes against Bolivia could summarize four decades of waiting — or extend it.