Iraq are scheduled to play in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-off Tournament later this month where two final qualifiers for the event will be decided. However, with the chaos in West Asia, Iraq’s travel plans are uncertain.
Iraq’s participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-off Tournament, that will decide the final two teams for the competition, is under serious threat as chaos escalates in the West Asia region.
The inter-confederation play-offs take place from March 26 to 31 in Monterrey, Mexico with six teams fighting out for the final two spots for FIFA World Cup that takes place across the United States, Mexico and Canada this summer.
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As Iran and US combined with Israel continue to exchange strikes, the airspace in most parts of the Gulf region has been shut leading to travel plans going awry. Iraq’s football team too is facing a big problem due to the war and it could lead to them not participating in the play-offs.
Iraq’s airspace to remain close for at least four weeks
Iraq Football Association (IFA) has received a letter from Iraq’s national airline, Iraqi Airways, and the Ministry of Transportation that the country’s airspace will be shut down for at least four weeks. According to a report in the Guardian, this would leave around 40 percent of Iraqi squad to unable to travel to Mexico.
An alternative route has reportedly been suggested where these players will have to travel 25 hours by road to Turkey but even that route will be not safe amid the conflict.
To make matters worse, Guardian reports that a number of Iraq’s players and backroom staff are yet to receive visas for Mexico or the United States. With several embassies in the region shut down due to conflict, it will be hard to process visa applications in the limited time even if the airspace opens up.
The IFA is currently in crisis talks with FIFA who have reportedly stated that the play-offs will go ahead as planned.
Iraq’s World Cup dream in doubt
Despite conflicts raging at home, Iraq had made it to the play-offs and now remain just win away from booking a slot in the FIFA World Cup. The winner of the Bolivia vs Suriname match will face Iraq in the match which will decide who goes to the tournament.
In fact, Iraq could also qualify for the World Cup if Iran withdrew due to the recent war. They are the next highest-ranked team based on the Asian Football Confederation qualifying tournament and would advance to the tournament if lran walks out. However, with visa delays and air travel restrictions in place, their hopes of getting to the World Cup are in serious trouble.
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