Iraq is scheduled to play the winner of the Bolivia - Suriname match in Monterrey, Mexico, on 31/3. This match is for one of the final two spots in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada.

However, the Iraqi national team's preparations are disrupted due to regional conflict, which has led to the closure of the country's airspace. Iraqi airspace is expected to reopen on 1/4, one day after the scheduled match.

Coach Graham Arnold (in black) applauds before Iraq's World Cup 2026 qualifier against UAE in Basra, Iraq on 18/11/2025. Photo: Reuters

Arnold stated he sent an urgent message to FIFA. "Please help us with this game, because right now we are struggling to get players out of Iraq," the Australian coach told AAP from the UAE, where he is currently stranded.

Arnold proposed that FIFA postpone Iraq's playoff to allow more preparation time. Under his plan, Bolivia and Suriname would still play this month, and Iraq would face the winner one week before the World Cup in the US.

"In my opinion, if FIFA postpones the match, we will have better preparation time," Arnold said. "Let Bolivia play Suriname this month, then one week before the World Cup we will play the winner in the US. The winner of that match stays for the World Cup, and the loser goes home."

The Australian coach believes this approach would also give FIFA more time to decide on the situation of Iran, a team that might withdraw from the 2026 World Cup due to tensions with the US.

"If Iran withdraws, we will qualify directly for the World Cup, and the UAE – the team we defeated in the qualifiers – will also have time to prepare to face Bolivia or Suriname," Arnold continued. "Our federation president, Adnan Dirjal, is working around the clock to plan and prepare to make the dream of the Iraqi people a reality, so we need this decision as soon as possible."

The Iraq team before the match against UAE. Photo: AP

Approximately 60% of Iraq's main squad plays in the domestic league. These players, along with many coaching staff members, including a translator and former Sydney FC player Ali Abbas, are currently unable to leave Iraq due to suspended flights.

The pre-match training camp in Houston, US, has also been postponed due to visa and travel issues.

The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) has also spoken out, urging football administrators to prioritize player safety.

Beau Busch, FIFPro's Asia-Oceania chairman, stated that organizations like FIFA and AFC should adopt a cautious approach given the current situation. "Player safety must be the top priority. All necessary measures should be considered to protect them," Busch said.

FIFPro general secretary Alex Phillips noted that whether the match proceeds as planned depends on the ability to ensure player safety.

Amid escalating tensions, some domestic football matches in Iraq have also been affected by missile attacks near Erbil, where a US military base is located.

Arnold acknowledged that if he cannot call up players from the domestic league, Iraq will struggle to field its strongest squad. "That will not be our best team, and this is the biggest match for Iraqi football in 40 years," he said.

The Australian coach stated he accepted the role with Iraq partly due to his desire to bring the team back to the World Cup after four decades. "The Iraqi people have an intense passion for football. The fact that they haven't been in the World Cup for 40 years is why I took this job," the 62-year-old coach said. "But right now, with the airport still closed, we are trying to find other options."

Iraq has only participated in the World Cup once, in 1986, where they lost all three group stage matches.

Hong Duy (via ESPN)