Iraq coach Graham Arnold has appealed to FIFA to reschedule the team’s 2026 World Cup playoff against the winner of Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey amid the travel chaos over the conflict in neighbouring Iran.
Arnold’s appeal comes as many of his players and backroom staff are stranded due to the ongoing conflict in Iran and the subsequent closure of Iraqi airspace.
However, with Iraqi airspace closed until April 1, Arnold’s squad is currently unable to gather or travel for the match.
Arnold in a chat with AAP, stated that he has already been forced to cancel a planned training camp in the United States.
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“In my opinion, if FIFA were to delay the game, it gives us time to prepare properly,” Arnold told AAP. “Let Bolivia play Suriname this month and then a week before the World Cup, we play the winner in the U.S. — the winner of that game stays on and the loser goes home.
“In my opinion, it also gives FIFA more time to decide what Iran is going to do.”
“If Iran withdraws,” he said, “we go into the World Cup, and it gives the UAE, who we beat in qualifying, the chance to prepare for either Bolivia or Suriname.
“Our federation’s president Adnan Dirjal is working around the clock trying to plan and prepare to make everyone in Iraq’s dream come true, so we need this decision made quickly.”
