The head coach of the Iraqi national team, Graham Arnold, has formally requested that FIFA reschedule the team’s crucial World Cup qualifying match. The request comes as the team faces severe travel disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Iraq is scheduled to compete in the inter-confederation play-offs for a chance to secure one of the final two spots in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The team is set to face the winner of the match between Bolivia and Suriname.
According to the current schedule, Bolivia and Suriname will play each other on March 26. The winner of that game is then supposed to face Iraq on March 31. Both matches are planned to take place at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico.
However, Iraq’s preparations and travel plans have been thrown into chaos. Following recent military actions by the U.S. and Israel on neighboring Iran, Iraq and several other countries in the region closed their airspace.
This closure has stranded Coach Arnold, who reported he was unable to leave the United Arab Emirates to join the rest of the squad.
In a statement to the Australian Associated Press, Arnold explained that the problems extend beyond the airspace closures. He stated that several team members have been unable to obtain visas for Mexico because the relevant embassies are closed.
With these obstacles, Arnold believes the only fair solution is to delay the playoff game. He suggested that Bolivia and Suriname play their match this month as planned, but that the final against Iraq should be moved.
“In my opinion, if FIFA were to delay the game, it gives us time to prepare properly,” Arnold said. He proposed playing the decisive match in the United States just one week before the World Cup begins. “The winner of that game stays on and the loser goes home.”
The situation is further complicated by questions surrounding Iran’s participation in the World Cup. Arnold suggested that rescheduling could also give FIFA more time to decide on Iran’s status. He noted that if Iran were to withdraw, Iraq, having defeated the UAE in qualifying, might be in a position to take their place, though this has not been confirmed.
Arnold stressed that the current situation prevents Iraq from fielding its strongest team, which would be a major disappointment for a nation desperate for World Cup success. Iraq has not appeared on soccer’s biggest stage since 1986.
“A team made up only of players from outside Iraq would not be our best team, and we need our best team available for the country’s biggest game in 40 years,” Arnold said. “Our federation’s president is working around the clock so we need this decision to be made quickly.”
Iraq earned its spot in the playoffs by defeating the UAE in the final round of Asian qualifying. As one of the highest-seeded teams in the playoff round, they are just one win away from returning to the World Cup.