The Iraqi national football team continues its intensive preparations for the decisive confrontation in the global playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, amidst administrative and technical arrangements aimed at creating the best possible conditions before the crucial match scheduled for April 1st in Monterrey, Mexico, where they will face the winner of the match between the Bolivian national football team and the Surinamese national football team.

Informed sources revealed that the team's coach, Australian Graham Arnold, informed the Iraqi Football Association of his desire to prepare an initial list of more than 50 players, in anticipation of any emergency that might arise before the decisive match, whether in terms of injuries or technical readiness.

The sources indicated that all players underwent official interviews at the American embassy in the capital, Baghdad, to obtain entry visas to the United States, in preparation for holding the final training camp there. The coach emphasized the necessity of completing this step early, to ensure full flexibility in selecting the final list, without encountering any administrative issues that might affect the team's preparations.

It added that the Iraqi federation executed the technical staff's directives precisely, recognizing the sensitivity of the upcoming phase, and keen to ensure that preparations are free from organizational errors, especially since the anticipated match represents a pivotal station in the path to World Cup qualification.

In a related context, the federation succeeded in reaching an agreement to hold a friendly match during the period from March 15th to 22nd against a team from Houston, USA, to provide the players with practical engagement before the official confrontation. Arnold is expected to involve as many players as possible during the friendly match to assess their technical and physical readiness, especially in light of his continuous monitoring of the Bolivian and Surinamese teams' matches and analyzing their strengths and weaknesses.

The sources concluded by pointing out that the Iraqi federation has prepared an alternative plan in case the team's entry to the United States is hindered, where preparations will directly shift to Mexico, as contact has been made with several clubs there to organize an alternative friendly match. However, this option is still awaiting official resolution, pending the American side's response regarding visas, with the full picture expected to become clear in the next ten days.