Iraq coach wants World Cup play-off to be postponed

"It wouldn't be our best team and we need our best team for the country's biggest game in 40 years. The Iraqi people are so passionate about the game that it is insane. The fact that they haven't qualified for 40 years is probably the main reason I took this job."

"If Fifa was to delay the game it gives us time to prepare properly. Let Bolivia play Suriname this month and then a week before the World Cup, we play the winner."

"Iraqi airspace has been closed since 28 February when the first US-Israeli strikes began and Iran responded by firing missiles and drones at Israel, Gulf states and other nearby countries."

Iraq's head coach Graham Arnold requests postponement of the World Cup inter-continental play-off against Bolivia or Suriname scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey. Iraqi airspace has been closed since February 28 following US-Israeli strikes and Iranian missile responses. Arnold argues that assembling a team solely from players based outside Iraq would compromise their chances in their first World Cup qualification attempt since 1986. The closure prevents Iraqi players and staff from traveling to Mexico for the match. Arnold emphasizes Iraq's passionate football culture and the significance of this opportunity after 40 years without World Cup qualification. He proposes delaying the match to allow proper team preparation, suggesting Bolivia and Suriname play their semi-final this month with the Iraq match occurring a week before the World Cup.

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