The Iraqi national football team finds itself in a difficult situation ahead of a decisive match that will determine their participation in the 2026 World Cup. The escalation of the conflict with Iran has forced the Iraqi Football Federation to seek urgent assistance from FIFA to address the emerging organizational and logistical issues.
The closure of airspace in the region has become a major obstacle. Head coach Graham Arnold is stranded in the United Arab Emirates and cannot join the team. Additionally, the diplomatic crisis caused by the closure of several foreign embassies has complicated the process of obtaining visas for players, coaches, and medical staff necessary for the trip to Mexico, where the match will take place.
The key playoff match is scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico. The Iraqi team will face the winner of the match between Bolivia and Suriname. This match is for one of the last spots in the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada in 2026.
The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that the visa difficulties are related to the lack of direct diplomatic representation in Baghdad. Currently, the Mexican embassy in the UAE is actively collaborating with Iraqi authorities, offering alternative ways to process visas through European countries. Iraqi football authorities have also confirmed that they are in constant contact with international organizations to find a way out of the current situation.
This match is of immense significance for Iraq. The team stands on the brink of a historic moment — the last time the Iraqi national team qualified for the World Cup was nearly forty years ago, in 1986.
