US Edition‘A Lot of Sleepless Nights’: Why the War in Iran Might Cost Iraq a Berth in the 2026 World Cup
Coach Arnold says Iraqi airspace closure and embassy shutdowns prevent player visas and team assembly, urging FIFA to delay the March 31 playoff in Monterrey, Mexico.
- On March 31, Iraq faces a winner‑takes‑all World Cup playoff in Monterrey, Mexico and coach Graham Arnold urged FIFA to delay it due to travel challenges.
- Following strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks, Iraqi airspace has been closed since February 28, disrupting travel and affecting visas for the Iraq squad, Arnold said.
- The turmoil forced the postponement of a planned Houston training camp, hampering preparations, and the Iraq squad is predominantly domestic‑league players, with relying only on overseas‑based players rejected as unviable.
- Arnold proposed letting Bolivia play Suriname this month and postponing Iraq’s final until about a week before the World Cup, but FIFA has not responded and the federation president is urgent on logistics.
- Qualifying would end a 40‑year absence for Iraq since 1986, which Graham Arnold said motivated him to take the job, with the World Cup running from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
51 Articles
51 Articles
‘A lot of sleepless nights’: Why the war in Iran might cost Iraq a berth in the 2026 World Cup
Iraq’s men’s national soccer team is just 90 minutes away from qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 40 years – in theory. Events far beyond their control have reinforced the adage that the last mile is often the hardest.
The ct of the Graham Arnold team asks for the race to be postponed.
Fifa urged to move World Cup play-off tie as players trapped in Middle East amid conflict
Iraq's hopes of reaching their first World Cup since 1986 hang in the balance after manager Graham Arnold made a direct appeal to Fifa to postpone their crucial intercontinental playoff fixture. The match against either Bolivia or Suriname, scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey in Mexico, is now looking uncertain due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.Arnold, the former Australia boss who guided the Socceroos to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar…
The Independent
The Independent (US)Iraq manager urges Fifa to delay his team’s World Cup play-off due to Iran-US war
Iraq are due to play in a World Cup play-off later this month but are struggling to gather their players together amid the ongoing conflict
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