Iraq head coach Graham Arnold (Image credit: X) Iraq will travel to Mexico for a 2026 World Cup play-off match despite calls for it to be postponed due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, the country’s football association said on Saturday.“The national team will fly to Mexico on a private plane at the end of the week,” Iraq Football Association president Adnan Dirjal said in a statement, adding that they had contacted FIFA to help facilitate the trip amid regional conflict that disrupted flights.
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“We have been able to communicate with some of the clubs of our professional players to facilitate their entry into the national team.”The match is scheduled to take place on March 31 in the Mexican city of Monterrey.Iraq will face either Suriname or Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff final.The winner will be seeded in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway in the first round of this summer’s men’s tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.The war, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has also cast doubt on Iran’s involvement in global events.US President Donald Trump warned on Thursday that the “life and safety” of the Iranian team could be at risk in the United States, despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino saying they would be welcome at the tournament.The conflict has also raised concerns over Iraq’s participation, given the country’s proximity to Iran and potential travel disruption, with the team’s manager previously urging FIFA to postpone the play-off match.Iraq’s head coach, Australian Graham Arnold, said several players and members of the technical staff were stuck in the Middle East because of the ongoing conflict.
