Iraq’s head coach Graham Arnold has called for the country’s decisive World Cup play-off match later this month to be postponed because of travel disruptions caused by the escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Late February, Arnold declared Iraq ready to “shock the world” as the Lions of Mesopotamia stand one win away from a return to the global stage — four decades after their last appearance.
“We’re going to play without fear, shock the world and enjoy it,” he said in an interview obtained on the FIFA website.
Iraq is scheduled to face either Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey, Mexico, on 31 March.
The winner of the inter-continental play-off will secure a place at the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada starting on 11 June.
However, the BBC on Monday reports that Iraqi officials are concerned that players and staff may struggle to travel to Mexico because of disruption across the Middle East linked to the conflict in neighbouring Iran.
Iraqi airspace has been closed since 28 February, when US-Israeli strikes began, and Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, Gulf states, and other nearby countries.
Arnold, who took over as Iraq’s manager in May 2025, said the situation could prevent the national team from assembling its strongest squad for the decisive match.
Fielding a team made up only of players based outside Iraq, he said, would weaken their chances of qualifying for the tournament.
“It wouldn’t be our best team, and we need our best team for the country’s biggest game in 40 years,” the Australian said.
He added that qualifying for the World Cup carries deep emotional significance for supporters in Iraq.
“The Iraqi people are so passionate about the game that it is insane. The fact that they haven’t qualified for 40 years is probably the main reason I took this job.
“But at this stage, with the airport being shut down, we are working hard to try and find another alternative.”
Iraq earned its place in the inter-continental play-off after defeating the United Arab Emirates 3-2 on aggregate in the fifth round of Asian qualifying in November.
Bolivia will face Suriname in their inter-continental play-off semi-final on 26 March. The winner of that match is set to meet Iraq for a spot alongside 47 other nations at the 2026 World Cup.
Arnold said a short delay to the match would allow Iraq to prepare properly once travel conditions improve.
“If FIFA were to delay the game, it would give us time to prepare properly,” Arnold said.
“Let Bolivia play Suriname this month, and then a week before the World Cup, we play the winner in the US. The winner of that game stays on, and the loser goes home.
“Our federation’s president, Adnan Dirjal, is working around the clock trying to plan and prepare to make everyone in Iraq’s dream come true, so we need this decision made quickly.”
