Iraq's national football team has chartered a private plane to Mexico for its World Cup playoff match, despite risks from the Middle East conflict. The team qualified for the playoff after a dramatic late goal. The winners will join Norway, France, and Senegal in a 2026 World Cup group.
Iraq is set to play a playoff match for a spot in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The fixture had been in doubt due to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, prompting the Iraqi Football Federation to seek alternative arrangements from FIFA, including new dates and venues, amid uncertainty about leaving the country safely. On Saturday evening Swedish time, federation president Adnen Dirjal announced that the team had successfully chartered a private jet to Mexico. This follows their qualification for the playoff several months ago, secured in dramatic fashion when Amir Al-Ammari scored from a penalty in the 117th minute against the United Arab Emirates. The opponent in the playoff will be either Suriname or Bolivia, with the victor advancing to the same group as Norway, France, and Senegal. Dirjal stated: “Vi har ett mål och det är att nå VM. Därför är vårt fokus att ge spelarna och tränarna de nödvändiga villkoren för att spela matchen och uppnå iraksupportrarnas drömmar.” The announcement ensures the team can compete amid regional tensions.
