The coach of the Iraqi national football team, Graham Arnold, has requested the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to consider the possibility of postponing the intercontinental playoff match qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Monterrey at the end of March, due to the significant challenges facing the travel of the Iraqi team's delegation amid the current regional circumstances.

The Iraqi team is set to meet the winner of the match between the Bolivia national football team and the Suriname national football team in the decisive playoff match at six o'clock in the morning on April 1st. However, travel restrictions and the closure of some airports may hinder the Iraqi delegation's timely arrival in Mexico.

In statements reported by the Australian news agency, Arnold emphasized that the current conditions might prevent the Iraqi team from playing with the best available squad, noting that this encounter is one of the most important matches in the history of Iraqi football in recent decades.

The Australian coach said: "Given the current situation in the region and the team's obligation to travel to Mexico, this will not be our best team. We need the best available team to play the country's most important match in forty years."

Arnold added that the Iraqi people have a great passion for football, affirming that the national team's absence from the World Cup finals for a long period was one of the main reasons he accepted the mission of coaching the Iraqi team, in an attempt to help return the Lions of Mesopotamia to the world's largest football event.

The Iraqi coach proposed an alternative solution if FIFA decides to postpone the match, suggesting that the Bolivia national football team and the Suriname national football team play their match as scheduled, with the Iraqi team meeting the winner just one week before the World Cup finals kick off in the United States.

He explained that this step could provide the Iraqi team with sufficient time to prepare optimally, especially given the current logistical difficulties related to travel and movement.

Arnold also praised the efforts of the president of the Iraqi Football Association, Adnan Darjal, confirming that he is continuously working to arrange suitable measures to facilitate the team's mission and achieve the Iraqi fans' dream of qualifying for the World Cup.

The Australian coach pointed out that a decision needs to be made quickly by FIFA, as the technical staff requires clarity in the preparation program in the coming days.

The Bolivia and Suriname teams are scheduled to meet in the intercontinental playoff semi-final on March 26th in Monterrey to determine which team will face Iraq in the final match, as the Iraqi team has the advantage of playing only one match in the playoff due to its advanced position in the international ranking.

It is noteworthy that the 2026 World Cup finals will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11th to July 19th. If the Iraqi team succeeds in qualifying for the World Cup, it will be in Group I alongside the national teams of France, Senegal, and Norway.