Iraq’s coach Graham Arnold appeals to FIFA to postpone their World Cup playoff as players are stranded due to the Iran war, proposing an alternative schedule.
IRAQ coach Graham Arnold has made an urgent plea to FIFA to postpone his team’s crucial intercontinental playoff for the 2026 World Cup.
Arnold’s appeal comes as many of his players and backroom staff are stranded due to the ongoing conflict in Iran and the subsequent closure of Iraqi airspace.
The Iraqi national team is scheduled to face either Suriname or Bolivia on March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico, for a place in the World Cup finals. However, with Iraqi airspace closed until April 1, Arnold’s squad is currently unable to gather or travel for the match.
“If the game goes ahead in Mexico we have the difficulties of getting out of Baghdad,” Arnold told CNN.
He detailed the logistical nightmare, explaining that about 60% of his players are based in Iraq, while all his backroom staff live there and his medical team is in Qatar. The squad is also facing difficulties obtaining Mexican visas.
Arnold revealed he has already been forced to cancel a planned training camp in the United States. “That has all been scrapped now, because we can’t get out of Baghdad,” he said.
“FIFA need to obviously make a quick decision on this because it is a bit unfair at this moment, with what we would have to go through,” Arnold added.
The Australian coach proposed an alternative schedule to resolve the impasse. He suggested Suriname and Bolivia could proceed with their playoff in Monterrey on March 26 as planned.
The winner of that match could then face Iraq in the United States just before the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11.
“Suriname could always play Bolivia if we can’t get there, and we could always play the winner just before the World Cup and (that) lets us prepare properly and do everything required to be successful,” Arnold said.
He argued this solution would allow Bolivia and Suriname, who face no travel complications, to play their match on schedule. “The winner stays and plays the World Cup and the loser goes home,” Arnold concluded.
Arnold confirmed that Iraqi football authorities are in close contact with FIFA regarding the crisis. He admitted the stressful situation has taken a personal toll, saying, “It’s one step at a time, it’s stressful, (I’ve had) a lot of sleepless nights worrying about getting that planning right.”
