Iraq National Team Coach Requests FIFA to Schedule 2026 World Cup Intercontinental Playoff Due to Situation in Iran

Iraq national team coach Graham Arnold has asked FIFA to consider the 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoff schedule due to the conflict in Iran (Instagram/@iraqnt_en).

JAKARTA - Iraq National Team (Timnas) coach Graham Arnold has asked FIFA to help his team because the conflict between neighboring Iran and the United States-Israel threatens to thwart his plans to help his team qualify for their first World Cup in 40 years.

The former Socceroos coach called on FIFA to come up with an alternative plan for the 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoff matches scheduled for later this month.

The Mesopotamian Lions will face a singles match against the playoff winner between Suriname and Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico, on March 31, 2026, local time.

The match against either Suriname or Bolivia will determine whether Iraq qualify for their first World Cup since 1986.

However, preparations for the Iraq match have been plagued by chaos due to the widespread conflict in the region. Iraq's airspace will only reopen on April 1, 2026, the day after Iraq's match against the winner of Suriname vs Bolivia.

Arnold, speaking to AAP from the UAE (United Arab Emirates) while receiving an emergency alert on his phone, had a simple request for FIFA.

"Please help us with this match because right now we are having trouble getting our players out of the country of Iraq," he said.

Almost 60 per cent of Arnold's main selection squad are from Iraq's domestic league, but those players and many of their support staff, including interpreters and former Sydney FC winger Ali Abbas, are still unable to fly out of Iraq.

In addition, the pre-match camp in Houston, United States (US), has been postponed, with visa and travel uncertainties further complicating Arnold's plans.

"In my opinion, if FIFA postpones the match, it gives us time to prepare well. Let Bolivia play against Suriname this month, then a week before the 2026 World Cup, we will play against the winner in the US - the winner of that match will stay and the loser will go home."

"In my opinion, this also gives FIFA more time to decide what Iran will do. If Iran withdraws, we will enter the 2026 World Cup.

"That gives the UAE, who we beat in qualifying, the opportunity to prepare for Bolivia or Suriname."

"The president of the Iraqi Football Federation, Adnan Dirjal, worked tirelessly to plan and prepare for everyone's dream in Iraq to come true. So, we need this decision to be made quickly," Arnold told AAP.

The Global Footballers' Union, FIFPro, also gave its opinion on Sunday, March 8, 2026, saying that decision-makers should take a very conservative approach to the match, with player safety as the top priority.

"Player safety must be the priority for everyone at this time. So, whatever action needs to be taken, even if it is currently considered a little excessive, we much prefer that (Asian Football Confederation), FIFA, and other parties adopt a very conservative approach at this time, to ensure that all efforts are made to protect the interests of the players."

"That has to be the top priority for everyone right now," said Beau Busch, FIFPro President for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Oceania (OFC).

Asked if the Iraq match should go ahead as planned, FIFPro general secretary Alex Phillips added that it depended on current conditions.

"It depends on the safety of the players. That will be our main concern. To what extent the safety of the players can be guaranteed, this will be the main motivation from our perspective. There are other factors as well," said Philips.

If FIFA cannot help Arnold's request, he is worried about how his players and staff will get out of Iraq in such a short time.

Several Iraqi domestic soccer matches were also affected by the missile attack in Erbil, where a US airbase is located.

The 62-year-old coach further said that it was unlikely to field a competitive team that was entirely made up of players based outside of Iraq.

"It's not our best team. We need our best team available for the biggest game in the country in 40 years," he said.

Arnold is desperate to help Iraq qualify for their first World Cup in four decades. The Australian manager took the Socceroos to the 2022 World Cup and made a historic run to the last 16, where they lost to Argentina.

"The Iraqi people are so passionate about football that it's incredible. The fact that they haven't qualified for 40 years is probably the main reason I accepted this job."

"However, at this stage, with the airport closed, we are working hard to try and find other alternatives," said Arnold.