Graham Arnold Urges FIFA to Postpone World Cup Play-off Amid Regional Conflict

Iraq’s national team manager, Graham Arnold, has requested a delay for the country’s critical World Cup qualification match scheduled for late March.

The Australian coach cited severe travel complications stemming from the ongoing military conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which led to the closure of Iraqi airspace on February 28.

With the “Lions of Mesopotamia” just one victory away from their first World Cup appearance in forty years, Arnold expressed concern that current flight restrictions would prevent local players from joining the squad, forcing him to rely solely on expatriate athletes.

The decisive inter-continental play-off against either Bolivia or Suriname is currently set for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico.

Arnold proposed a revised schedule where the preliminary match between Bolivia and Suriname proceeds as planned, while Iraq’s final fixture is moved to June, shortly before the tournament begins in North America.

Iraqi Football Federation President Adnan Dirjal is reportedly in urgent discussions with international officials to find a solution that preserves the nation’s dream of qualifying for the 2026 global stage.