Iraq will travel to Mexico for a 2026 World Cup playoff match despite calls for it to be postponed due to the ongoing Middle East war, the country’s football association said on Saturday.“The national team will depart at the end of the week to Mexico via a private plane,” Iraq Football Association president Adnan Dirjal said in a statement, adding that they had contacted FIFA to help facilitate the trip amid the regional conflict that has disrupted flights.
“We succeeded in communicating with some of the clubs of our professional players to facilitate their joining the national team.”The match is scheduled to take place on March 31 in the Mexican city of Monterrey.Iraq is set to face either Suriname or Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff final.The winner will be placed in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway in the first round of this summer’s men’s tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.The war, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has also cast uncertainty over Iran’s participation in the global event.US President Donald Trump warned on Thursday that the Iranian team’s “life and safety” could be at risk in the United States, despite FIFA president Gianni Infantino stating they would be welcome at the tournament.The conflict has also raised concerns over Iraq’s participation, given the country’s proximity to Iran and potential travel disruptions, with the team’s manager earlier urging FIFA to postpone the playoff match.Iraq head coach, Australian Graham Arnold, said several players and members of the technical staff were stranded in the Middle East because of the ongoing conflict.
