Iraq coach urges FIFA to delay World Cup playoff amid US-Israel war on Iran

Iraq coach urges FIFA to delay World Cup playoff amid US-Israel war on IranGraham Arnold says a delay to the March 31 fixture would allow the scattered members of his team to gather and prepare.Published On 9 Mar 2026The head coach of Iraq’s men’s football team, Graham Arnold, has issued an urgent plea to FIFA to delay his team’s intercontinental qualifier for the World Cup because of disruptions caused by the escalating Israeli-United States war on Iran.Iraq face major logistical issues before a winner-takes-all playoff against either Suriname or Bolivia, scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Iran women’s football team sing anthem, exit Asian Cup amid safety concernslist 2 of 3Messi censured for meeting and applauding Trump amid US attacks on Iranlist 3 of 3Missile strikes, no flights: Middle East conflict disrupts global sportend of listWith Iraqi airspace closed until April 1 due to the war, Arnold’s squad, which is made up predominantly of players from the domestic league, will be unable to fully gather.Players haven’t secured visas for the playoff in Mexico due to foreign embassy closures, and Arnold is stranded in the United Arab Emirates due to the conflict.“Please help us with this game because right now we are struggling to get our players out of the country of Iraq,” Arnold, a former coach of Australia’s national team, told the Australian Associated Press on Sunday.The turmoil has already forced the postponement of a planned training camp in Houston, Texas, in the US.Arnold said putting together a team solely of players based ⁠outside Iraq would hinder the country’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1986.“It wouldn’t be our best team, and we need our best team available for the country’s biggest game in 40 years,” Arnold said.He has proposed a strategic delay to the playoffs schedule, suggesting FIFA allow Suriname and Bolivia to play their preliminary match this month but postpone the final playoff until a week before the World Cup begins.