SPORTSWORLD.AM
The British newspaper The Guardian reports that the Iraqi national football team has requested the postponement of a March qualifier for the 2026 World Cup due to the armed conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States.
On March 31, the Iraqi national team will play the winner of the Bolivia-Suriname match in Mexico for a place in the 2026 World Cup finals.
Last week, the Iraqi Ministry of Transport announced the closure of airspace, which will force the national team to travel 25 hours by bus to Turkey, from where they will only be able to fly to Mexico.
In addition to logistical issues, several Iraqi players and coaching staff members have not yet received visas to enter Mexico and the United States. According to the initial plan, the team was supposed to hold a training camp in Houston, USA.
It was previously reported that the Australian head coach of the Iraqi national team, Graham Arnold, is also unable to leave the UAE due to the closure of airspace there.
Recall that on February 28, the Israeli and US armed forces launched strikes on Iranian territory, announcing the start of a military operation. In response, Iran struck US and Israeli military bases.