Crucial Iraqi plea to FIFA as travel chaos threatens World Cup playoff
9 March 2026
Context
The Iraqi national football team faces a complex logistical crisis ahead of the intercontinental playoff for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico on March 31, as travel restrictions prevent many players and staff from leaving due to regional security conditions.
According to The Guardian, more than half of the squad remains stranded in Baghdad after the country’s airspace was closed amid the ongoing conflict, making departure exceptionally difficult.
The alternative travel options were not straightforward either: the plan to move the squad by land to Turkey before flying to Mexico would mean roughly a 25-hour journey through areas that have recently seen drone attacks.
Coach Graham Arnold, who is currently in Dubai, does not want to expose players to such risks.
The visa hurdles worsened as several players and staff had not yet secured entry visas to Mexico and the United States, where the team had been due to hold a training camp before facing the winner of Suriname vs Bolivia in the playoff.
Facing these pressures, the Iraq Football Association formally contacted FIFA, requesting a postponement of the match scheduled for the end of the month until a solution ensures player safety and the team's ability to travel and compete normally.
Read also: World Cup dream at risk? Iraq in a race against the 'Closed Sky' before the playoff
