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Iraq facing World Cup playoff difficulties as Iran war closes embassies and airspace
About 40% of Iraq’s national team cannot travel due to airspace closure and visa delays linked to the Iran–US conflict, threatening their World Cup playoff participation.
- The Iraq Football Association is holding urgent talks with FIFA after major travel disruptions cast doubt over Iraq national team’s participation in the March 31 playoff in Monterrey, Mexico.
- Iraqi Airways and Iraq's transportation ministry warned Iraqi airspace will remain shut for at least four weeks, while diplomatic missions and embassies across the Middle East have closed, making visa processing uncertain for players, technical and medical staff.
- Head coach Graham Arnold is stranded in Dubai because of airspace closures, and roughly 40 percent of the national team squad cannot travel to join preparations, the federation said Wednesday.
- Players inside Iraq face a roughly 25-hour road trip into Turkey, a route officials describe as potentially unsafe, while Iraq could replace Iran in the six-team playoff tournament.
- Officials say they must plan as if the game is going ahead while admitting at some point soon they will have to make a decision amid pending visa applications and FIFA obstacles.
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The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Iran-US war chaos threatens another team’s place at the World Cup
Iraqi airspace has been closed since the United States and Israel launched air attacks on Iran
·London, United Kingdom
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World Cup playoff plunged into doubt by Iran war as nation release worrying statement - The Mirror
Instability in the Middle East, as the United States and Israel wage war with Iran, means that a World Cup play-off clash has been placed in doubt due to the impact on travel and administration
·London, United Kingdom
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The war in the Middle East has affected the Iraq Selection, as its players have not been able to process visas for the Mexican Repechaje.
·Mexico City, Mexico
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Total News Sources38
Leaning Left16Leaning Right5Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution49% Left
Bias Distribution
- 49% of the sources lean Left
49% Left
L 49%
C 36%
15%
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