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‘A Lot of Sleepless Nights’: Why the War in Iran Might Cost Iraq a Berth in the 2026 World Cup
Iraq's travel disruptions amid Middle East conflict risk missing their first World Cup since 1986, with half the squad based locally and visa delays reported.
- On March 09, 2026 Iraq coach Graham Arnold urged FIFA to postpone the inter-confederation play-off in Monterrey due to Middle East travel disruption affecting the Iraq national team.
- Since February 28, Iraqi airspace has been closed after regional strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, threatening flights to Monterrey on March 31.
- Visa and paperwork delays, plus a cancelled Houston training camp, have hampered preparations, while roughly half of Iraq's first-choice squad remain stuck in Iraq and coach Arnold is in Dubai.
- Bolivia and Suriname meet in Monterrey on March 26, with the winner due to face Iraq on March 31, while Adnan Dirjal says officials are working around the clock for a quick decision.
- FIFA's alternate route was reportedly rejected over safety concerns by the Iraqi association, and with finals from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the scheduling dispute affects Iraq's World Cup qualification.
16 Articles
16 Articles
At the end of March, Iraq's national football team will travel to Mexico to play what may be the most important match in the nation's history, when a World Cup ticket is at stake in a playoff match against either Bolivia or Suriname...
By Don Riddell, CNN The men's football team in Iraq is only 90 minutes away from qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 40 years, in theory. Events outside the team's control have reinforced the saying that the last stage is usually the most difficult. On March 31, the Lions of Mesopotamia will face the winner of the match between Bolivia and Suriname, who will face up to five days earlier, in a qualifieral repechaje for the 202…
‘A lot of sleepless nights’: Why the war in Iran might cost Iraq a berth in the 2026 World Cup
By Don Riddell, CNN (CNN) — 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 the team’s control have reinforced the adage that the last mile is often the hardest. On March 31, the Lions of Mesopotamia are due to play the winner of Bolivia and Suriname, who face off five days earlier, in a playoff qualifier for a berth in the 2026 World C…
Closed airspace and inability to issue visas block Iraq's national team
The Iraqi football selection is facing a major challenge for the 2026 World Cup. Due to the conflict in the Middle East, Iraq is calling for the postponement of its intercontinental dam.
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