Iraq’s head coach Graham Arnold has called for the country’s decisive World Cup play-off match later this month to be postponed because of travel disruptions caused by the escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The winner of the inter-continental play-off will secure a place at the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada starting on 11 June. He added that qualifying for the World Cup carries deep emotional significance for supporters in Iraq. The winner of that match is set to meet Iraq for a spot alongside 47 other nations at the 2026 World Cup. “Let Bolivia play Suriname this month and then a week before the World Cup, we play the winner in the US.

Source: Punch March 09, 2026 13:12 UTC