Following Iraq's formal request reported earlier this week, national team coach Graham Arnold has detailed his urgent appeal to FIFA for postponing the March 31 inter-confederation World Cup play-off in Monterrey, Mexico, citing ongoing airspace closures, visa blocks, and a canceled training camp that prevent assembling a full squad against the Bolivia-Suriname winner.
In an update to Iraq's escalating push for a rescheduled 2026 World Cup play-off—first detailed amid U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran—coach Graham Arnold, currently stranded in the United Arab Emirates, has outlined severe logistical barriers to FIFA.
Iraqi airspace remains shut until April 1, trapping most domestic players in the country. Embassy closures have halted Mexico visa processing, and a planned Houston training camp is canceled. Arnold, formerly of Australia, stresses that using only overseas players would weaken the lineup for "the country’s biggest game in 40 years."
"Please help us with this game because right now we are struggling to get our players out of the country of Iraq," Arnold told the Australian Associated Press. He proposes letting Bolivia and Suriname play on March 26, then delaying Iraq's match to a week before the June 11-July 19 World Cup finals in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This would also allow assessment of Iran's qualified status amid the war; if Iran withdraws, Iraq could replace them per AFC rankings, with the UAE stepping into Iraq's play-off spot.
Iraqi Football Association president Adnan Dirjal is working intensively on solutions. Iraq last reached the World Cup in 1986 in Mexico, losing all group games. Arnold highlighted the nation's soccer passion as his coaching motivation.
FIFA has been contacted but not responded. Meanwhile, the other play-off involving New Caledonia, Jamaica, and DR Congo continues in nearby Zapopan and Guadalajara.
