Iraq are hoping to end a 40-year exile from the World Cup in 2026.
The Lions of Mesopotamia reached the playoff round, which takes place this month, where they will meet either Bolivia or Suriname for the right to play at this year’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
However, their participation has been placed in doubt due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East and the complications they face in terms of travelling for the match.
The Sporting News looks at the latest on the situation.
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Will Iraq World Cup playoff be postponed?
As things stand, Iraq’s World Cup playoff match will be going ahead.
The Asian side are in Pathway 2 of the intercontinental bracket, which means they are due to play the winners of the semifinal between Bolivia and Suriname in Monterrey on March 31.
However, given the developing situation, there are no assurances yet that the fixture will be played as planned.
MORE: Full rundown of how the intercontinental playoffs work, and who might qualify
Why do Iraq want the playoff to be postponed?
Iraq’s preparations for the final have been badly disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East that started with the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran.
The country’s airspace is closed because of the risk of drone and missile strikes, while coach Arnold “is unable to leave the United Arab Emirates” because of similar air-travel restrictions, according to Iraq’s football federation.
There is an added complication of visas. Players hoping to be involved in the match, which takes place at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico, have been unable to acquire the documentation they need. The federation said: “Several embassies remain closed at the present time, preventing several professional players, technical and medical staff members from obtaining entry visas to Mexico.”
According to ESPN, the Mexican embassy in UAE has been in contact with Iraq in a bid to expedite the process, but with the game just three weeks away, there is no guarantee that processes would be completed in time.
Graham Arnold, the head coach, told AAP that his message to FIFA was: “Please help us with this game because right now we are struggling to get our players out of the country of Iraq.”
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Graham Arnold calls on FIFA to postpone World Cup qualifier
Arnold believes the best solution would be to push the game back to June and stage it in the United States, allowing the winners to remain and prepare for the start of the World Cup proper.
“In my opinion, if FIFA were to delay the game, it gives us time to prepare properly,” the Australian said. “Let Bolivia play Suriname this month and then, a week before the World Cup, we play the winner in the United States, and the winner of that game stays on and the loser goes home.
“In my opinion, it also gives FIFA more time to decide what Iran is going to do. If Iran withdraws, we go into the World Cup, and it gives the UAE, who we beat in qualifying, the chance to prepare for either Bolivia or Suriname.”
Asked about the prospect of only calling up players from outside Iraq to avoid problems with travel, Arnold said: “A team made up only of players from outside Iraq would not be our best team, and we need our best team available for the country’s biggest game in 40 years.
“Our federation’s president, Adnan Dirjal, is working around the clock trying to plan and prepare to make everyone in Iraq’s dream come true, so we need this decision to be made quickly.
“The Iraqi people are so passionate about the game of football that it is insane. The fact that they haven’t qualified for 40 years is probably the main reason I took this job.
“But at this stage, with the airport being shut down, we are working hard to try and find another alternative.”
MORE: Latest on Iran’s possible withdrawal from the World Cup
When did Iraq last qualify for the World Cup?
Iraq’s only appearance at the World Cup came in 1986 in Mexico. They lost all three of their games, against Paraguay, Belgium, and the host nation.
Could Iraq take Iran’s place at the World Cup?
The other route to the finals for Iraq could be if Iran withdraw from the World Cup following the U.S.’s attack.
Arnold’s team would appear best placed to replace Iran in World Cup Group G as they are the team with the best overall results in the AFC qualifying section that has not yet secured a place at the tournament.
UAE would be expected to take Iraq’s playoff place in this scenario.
MORE: Further details on who might take Iran’s place at the World Cup
