Iraq Coach Urges FIFA to Postpone World Cup Playoff Due to Iran War

Graham Arnold says his team is struggling to gather players and prepare for the crucial match against Suriname or Bolivia.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Iraq's head coach Graham Arnold has pleaded with FIFA to postpone his team's intercontinental World Cup playoff match scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico. Arnold says the escalating conflict with Iran has caused major logistical issues, including closed airspace, visa problems, and the inability to fully gather the squad for training. He has proposed delaying the playoff to give Iraq more time to prepare their best team for the crucial match.

Why it matters

Iraq's national team has not qualified for the World Cup since 1986, and this playoff represents their best chance in decades to end that drought. However, the ongoing war with Iran has severely disrupted their preparations, putting their World Cup dreams at risk if the match is not postponed.

The details

With Iraqi airspace closed until April 1 due to the Iran conflict, Arnold's squad - which is mostly made up of domestic league players - is unable to fully gather. Players also haven't been able to secure visas for the playoff in Mexico due to foreign embassy closures, and Arnold himself is stranded in the United Arab Emirates. The turmoil has already forced the postponement of a planned training camp in Houston, and Arnold says fielding a team of only overseas-based players is not a viable option.

  • The Iraq vs Suriname/Bolivia playoff is scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico.
  • Iraqi airspace is closed until April 1 due to the escalating conflict with Iran.
  • Arnold has proposed delaying the playoff to give Iraq more time to prepare their best team.

The players

Graham Arnold

The head coach of Iraq's national soccer team, who is urging FIFA to postpone his team's World Cup playoff match.

Adnan Dirjal

The president of the Iraq Football Association, who is working to try and plan and prepare for Iraq's World Cup playoff.

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What they’re saying

“Please help us with this game because right now we are struggling to get our players out of the country of Iraq.”

— Graham Arnold, Iraq National Team Head Coach (Australian Associated Press)

“Our federation's president Adnan Dirjal is working round the clock trying to plan and prepare to make everyone in Iraq's dream come true, so we need this decision made quickly.”

— Graham Arnold, Iraq National Team Head Coach (Australian Associated Press)

What’s next

FIFA will need to decide whether to postpone the Iraq vs Suriname/Bolivia World Cup playoff match scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico.

The takeaway

The escalating conflict between Iraq and Iran has severely disrupted Iraq's preparations for their crucial World Cup playoff match, putting their long-awaited return to the global soccer stage at risk. FIFA will need to weigh the logistical challenges facing Iraq's team against the desire to maintain the original playoff schedule.