"Iraqi airspace has been closed since the United States and Israel launched air attacks on Iran last weekend. Tehran responded by launching waves of missiles and drones at Israel and towards several military bases in the Middle East where US forces operate. FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation are fully aware of every development regarding our team's situation, the Iraq national team said in a statement on Wednesday."
"Because of airspace closures, our head coach Graham Arnold is unable to leave the United Arab Emirates. In addition, several embassies remain closed at the present time, preventing several players, technical and medical staff from obtaining entry visas to Mexico."
"Iraq have made one previous appearance at the World Cup, in 1986, when they failed to progress from the group stage. They are now favourites to win the playoff and become the ninth Asian team to qualify for the finals."
Iraq faces significant obstacles in reaching their scheduled World Cup playoff final against the Bolivia-Suriname winner on March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico. Iraqi airspace closure following US and Israeli air attacks on Iran, combined with Iranian missile and drone responses, has prevented head coach Graham Arnold from leaving the United Arab Emirates. Multiple embassies remain closed, blocking players, technical staff, and medical personnel from obtaining Mexican entry visas. Despite FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation monitoring the situation, Iraq's participation remains doubtful. The team, ranked 58th globally and seventh in Asia, previously competed in the 1986 World Cup and seeks to become the ninth Asian qualifier for the finals.
#world-cup-qualification #iraq-national-team #middle-east-conflict #travel-disruption #fifa-playoffs
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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