December 5, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, United States; The World Cup trophy rests on the podium during the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images Iraq national football team coach Graham Arnold has asked FIFA to postpone the team’s World Cup play-off matches scheduled for later this month due to travel issues caused by the current Middle East conflict.
Iraq will face the winner of the match between Suriname and Bolivia on March 26 in the intercontinental playoffs to be held in Monterrey, Mexico, on March 31.
The winner of this match will join France, Senegal and Norway in Group I for the 48-nation World Cup to be held this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In a statement to Australia’s Associated Press, Arnold offered an alternative in light of the difficulties in traveling to and from the Middle East following the joint US-Israeli airstrikes against Iran on February 28.
“I think if FIFA postpones the game it will give us time to prepare properly,” Arnold said. “This month we have Bolivia playing Suriname and a week before the World Cup we play the winner in the United States. The winner of that game stays and the loser goes home.”
Iraq said last week that Arnold could not leave the United Arab Emirates due to airspace closures. With embassies still closed, many players and staff were unable to obtain visas to travel to Mexico for playoff games.
Iraq is aiming to participate in its second World Cup following the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
“A team made up entirely of players from outside Iraq is not going to be the best team, we need the best team to be able to participate in Iraq’s biggest game in 40 years,” Arnold said. “This decision must be made quickly as our Federation President Adnan Dirzal is working around the clock to plan and prepare to make the dreams of everyone in Iraq a reality.”
Arnold also mentioned in his statement that if Iraq cannot qualify for the World Cup or is reluctant to participate, they could be a candidate to replace Iran, which has already qualified and is in Group G. He believes this is another reason these playoffs should be postponed.
FIFA did not comment on his request.
–Field level media
