Iraq's national team faces significant hurdles in reaching its scheduled inter-continental playoff match in Monterrey, Mexico on March 31. The winner of that match against either Bolivia or Suriname will secure a ticket to the World Cup. However, Iraqi airspace has been closed since February 28 due to airstrikes by Iran, creating severe travel disruptions.
According to major media reports, Iraq's organizers are concerned they may not be able to get players and staff to Mexico. Graham Arnold, who was appointed as Iraq's national team boss in May last year, claims that Iraq's World Cup playoff must be postponed. Arnold has urged organizers to reschedule the playoff and has proposed an alternative playoff schedule involving a delay and a match in the United States.
It wouldn't be our best team and we need our best team for the country's biggest game in 40 years.
He emphasized the urgency, noting that Adnan Dirjal, president of Iraq's football federation, is working to plan and prepare for the playoff, according to major media reports. The situation is further complicated by developments involving Iran, which has already qualified for the World Cup and is drawn in Group G with New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. Major media reports indicate that Iran's participation in the World Cup is also in jeopardy, with the Iranian FA suggesting they might not play in the World Cup.
FIFA's response to these issues is pending, with Mattias Grafström, a FIFA official, stating in an official statement that FIFA will monitor developments around all issues worldwide. Whether FIFA will postpone Iraq's playoff match remains uncertain, as does whether Iraq will be able to travel to Mexico for the playoff. The travel disruptions stem from ongoing regional tensions, which have escalated in recent weeks, impacting not only sports but broader diplomatic and security efforts.
The Iraqi people are so passionate about the game that it is insane. The fact that they haven't qualified for 40 years is probably the main reason I took this job.
S. aims to provide a logistical solution, but it requires FIFA approval and coordination with other stakeholders. Meanwhile, the Iraqi football federation continues to explore all possible routes to ensure the team can compete, though options are limited by the airspace closure.
Iran's potential withdrawal adds another layer of complexity, as it could affect tournament scheduling and group dynamics. FIFA has not yet issued any formal decisions, leaving teams and fans in suspense as the playoff date approaches.