Iraq Football Association (IFA) has formally written to FIFA requesting the global football governing body to delay the upcoming playoffs where the final two participants for the World Cup will be decided, The Guardian report on Sunday.

Iraq are just one win away from qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup which takes place across the United States, Mexico and Canada in June-July. However, due to the airspace restrictions in the Gulf region amid the war between US-Israel and Iran, there is uncertainty over how Iraqi footballers can travel for the playoffs which will take place at the end of March in Mexico.

Iraq reject road trip plan

Around half of Iraqi players are stuck in the country with airspace set to remain close throughout the month of March. The Australian head coach, Graham Arnold, too is stuck in Dubai and his travel plans too remain uncertain. Earlier, Iraqi Transport Ministry had conveyed to the football association that the
airspace in the country will remain closed for the duration of the war.

This has led to worries over team’s participation in the playoffs where they would have played one of Bolivia or Suriname. A win in that match would have taken them to the main competition.

FIFA had suggested an alternate route to Iraqi association which has reportedly been rejected over safety concerns. The alternate travel plan was moving to Istanbul in Turkey from Baghdad in Iraq via an arduous journey on road. However, with drones flying all around the region, the Iraqi football body has deemed this plan to be too risky.

Iraq is now hoping that FIFA will postpone the tournament for them to participate without any issues. However, there is one more problem apart from travel restrictions. A number of Iraq’s players and backroom staff have reportedly not received visas for Mexico or the US. With the visa facilities in the region closed due to conflict, this could become yet another challenge for the Iraqi side.