Government Confirmation Makes Iraq's Travel to Mexico an Impossible Task!
The Iraq national team finds itself facing unprecedented difficulties due to the security and logistical conditions in the region, ahead of the global playoff match qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the Mexican city of Monterrey.
The team was supposed to start its training camp in the American city of Houston in the middle of this month, in preparation for traveling to Mexico to face the winner of the Bolivia vs. Suriname match.
Sources within the Iraqi Football Association told winwin: "Communications with the International Football Association (FIFA) continue on a daily basis, amid significant complications hindering the team's preparations for travel and completing the match schedule on the set date."
The sources added: "The Iraqi Ministry of Transport informed the association of the continued closure of the airspace for a period that could reach up to four weeks, which has halted air traffic, leaving about 40% of the team's delegation stuck inside Iraq and unable to leave by air."
The sources explained: "The alternative option is to travel by land through Turkey, which may take about 25 hours, but it faces significant security and logistical challenges, complicating the delegation's arrival in Mexico on time."
The sources also pointed out that "the absence of entry visas to the United States and Mexico for the team, with the closure of application outlets in Qatar and the UAE and the absence of a Mexican embassy in Baghdad, led to the cancellation of the training camp in Houston, causing a state of disarray among the players and the technical and administrative staff."
The sources continued: "The continuation of the match as scheduled seems unlikely under these conditions, and the final decision will be in the hands of the International Football Association, which is expected to announce its position in the coming days, especially since travel at the moment is almost impossible due to the extremely complex situation."
It is noteworthy that the Australian coach Graham Arnold is still in Dubai, while the national team's medical staff is experiencing the same conditions and is located in the Qatari capital, Doha.
The team was supposed to start its training camp in the American city of Houston in the middle of this month, in preparation for traveling to Mexico to face the winner of the Bolivia vs. Suriname match.
Sources within the Iraqi Football Association told winwin: "Communications with the International Football Association (FIFA) continue on a daily basis, amid significant complications hindering the team's preparations for travel and completing the match schedule on the set date."
The sources added: "The Iraqi Ministry of Transport informed the association of the continued closure of the airspace for a period that could reach up to four weeks, which has halted air traffic, leaving about 40% of the team's delegation stuck inside Iraq and unable to leave by air."
The sources explained: "The alternative option is to travel by land through Turkey, which may take about 25 hours, but it faces significant security and logistical challenges, complicating the delegation's arrival in Mexico on time."
The sources also pointed out that "the absence of entry visas to the United States and Mexico for the team, with the closure of application outlets in Qatar and the UAE and the absence of a Mexican embassy in Baghdad, led to the cancellation of the training camp in Houston, causing a state of disarray among the players and the technical and administrative staff."
The sources continued: "The continuation of the match as scheduled seems unlikely under these conditions, and the final decision will be in the hands of the International Football Association, which is expected to announce its position in the coming days, especially since travel at the moment is almost impossible due to the extremely complex situation."
It is noteworthy that the Australian coach Graham Arnold is still in Dubai, while the national team's medical staff is experiencing the same conditions and is located in the Qatari capital, Doha.
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