Iraq national football team head coach Graham Arnold has called for the postponement of the country’s crucial World Cup play-off match due to travel disruptions caused by the escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Iraq are scheduled to face the winner between Bolivia national football team and Suriname national football team in Monterrey, Mexico, on March 31 for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, Iraqi officials fear players and staff may struggle to travel after Iraqi airspace was closed on February 28 following regional strikes and retaliatory attacks.
Arnold warned that if the team cannot assemble its full squad, it would weaken Iraq’s chances in what he described as the country’s biggest football match in 40 years.
He suggested that FIFA delay the fixture to allow proper preparation once travel conditions improve, noting that qualification for the World Cup carries huge emotional significance for Iraqi supporters.
Iraq reached the inter-continental play-off after defeating the United Arab Emirates national football team
