Persib Bandung coach Bojan Hodak voiced full support for defender Frans Putros to lead Iraq's national team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup via the intercontinental play-off final against Bolivia. The decisive match takes place at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico, on April 1, 2026, morning WIB. Hodak described qualification as an extraordinary achievement for Putros.
Iraq's national team faces Bolivia in the intercontinental play-off final for a 2026 World Cup ticket at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in the morning WIB.
Bojan Hodak, Croatian coach of Persib Bandung, openly shared his hopes. "I hope they (Iraq) will qualify. This will be extraordinary for Putros," he said, as quoted by Persib. He added, "Everyone wants to play in the World Cup. So, it will be extraordinary."
An Iraq victory would make them an Asian representative in the tournament. For Putros, it could mark the peak of his career, performing on a global stage watched by billions.
Such success would also benefit Persib Bandung, Putros's club, by featuring a player in the world's most prestigious tournament.