BAGHDAD, March 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iraq will travel to Mexico for a 2026 World Cup playoff match despite calls for it to be postponed due to the Middle East war, the country's football association said Saturday. "We succeeded in communicating with some of the clubs of our professional players to facilitate their joining the national team." Iraq is scheduled to face either Suriname or Bolivia in an intercontinental playoff final. The conflict had also cast doubt on the participation of Iraq, which neighbours Iran, due to travel disruption concerns, with its manager calling for FIFA to postpone the country's playoff match. Iraq's head coach, Australian Graham Arnold, said many of the team's players and technical staff were stranded in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 15, 2026 03:26 UTC