The Iraqi national team faces important challenges in the coming period, before embarking on the crucial confrontation in the global playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Lions of Mesopotamia are preparing to face the winner of the match between Bolivia and Suriname, as part of the global playoff competition, scheduled to be held in the city of Monterrey, Mexico, at the beginning of April. This meeting is considered pivotal in the team's journey towards achieving the World Cup dream.

In this context, the head of the National Teams Committee in the Iraqi Football Association, Mohammed Nasser, stated in exclusive comments to winwin that the Iraqi team is entering a highly sensitive phase, requiring concerted efforts at both the administrative and technical levels to appear in a manner befitting the name of Iraqi football.

He added that all members of the executive office in the association stand in support of the national teams and strive to create the appropriate environment for the technical staff's work, noting that the current focus is on finalizing the details of the training camp that precedes the playoff confrontation, in full coordination with the technical staff.

Nasser pointed out that the administrative problems experienced by the Iraqi association in the past period will not affect the team, affirming that the Lions of Mesopotamia's matches remain a top priority, and that the association is working to implement the administrative and financial directives issued by the international and Asian federations according to the statute.

Nasser continued by confirming that the association seeks to keep the team away from any internal conflicts or intersections, reassuring fans that the team's preparations will proceed normally and that no party will be allowed to influence its path before the anticipated date.

He concluded by saying that the lack of time is considered the biggest obstacle before the global playoff, as the team has only eight days to prepare, making it difficult to hold a friendly match of technical benefit. He explained that this issue is currently being discussed in coordination with coach Graham Arnold.