sports
March 4, 2026
Intercontinental World Cup playoffs in doubt as Iraq squad face travel chaos
Iraq team due in Mexico for playoff final on 31 March
TL;DR
- Iraq Football Association (IFA) is in crisis talks with Fifa over potential withdrawal from World Cup playoffs.
- A national airspace closure by Iraqi Airways and Ministry of Transportation will last at least four weeks, grounding most of the squad.
- Players and staff face difficulties obtaining visas for Mexico and the United States, with embassies closed due to war.
- The team is scheduled to play the winners of Bolivia v Suriname in Monterrey on March 31.
- Iraq is also a potential replacement for Iran in the World Cup if they withdraw.
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