Iraq Asks FIFA to Postpone World Cup Playoff Due to War in Middle EastBerlin, 9 Mar 2026 (ONA) — The Iraq national team asked football governing
body FIFA for an alternative plan for their World Cup playoff
scheduled to take place later this month (March 2026) amid the escalation of
conflict in the Middle East.
Iraq are due to play the winner playoff between Suriname and Bolivia
in Monterrey, Mexico, on 31 March as they aim to qualify for its
first global tournament since 1986.
But Iraq’s preparation has been plunged into chaos by the widening
conflict in the Middle East.
The country’s airspace is not due to reopen until 1 April 2026, with half
of the squad in Baghdad unable to travel. Coach Graham Arnold,
meanwhile, is stuck in Dubai.
According to The Guardian, Iran has formally asked FIFA to postpone
the game after rejecting the federation’s proposal that the squad
should make a 25-hour road journey to Turkey before flying to Mexico
to fulfil the fixture.
The newspaper also said that a number of Iraq’s players and backroom
staff have yet to receive visas for Mexico or the United States,
where they had planned to hold a training camp in Houston.
The US, Mexico and Canada are co-hosting the tournament, which starts
on 11 June 2026.
— Ends/Khalid