Former Iraqi coach Abdul Ghani Shahad identified three main factors that he believes will be crucial for the success of the Iraqi national football team during the global playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, emphasizing the importance of investing all influential elements at this pivotal stage.

The Iraqi team is scheduled to face the winner of the match between the Bolivia national football team and the Suriname national football team at six in the morning on the first of April in Monterrey, in a decisive match during which the Lions of Mesopotamia aim to secure a ticket to the World Cup.

Abdul Ghani Shahad stated in a press interview that Iraqi national team players are performing well with their clubs at the moment, stressing that success in national team matches largely depends on selecting the right elements and giving them the correct tactical roles on the field.

He added: "The work in the Iraqi national team is based on three fundamental aspects, which are selecting players capable of bearing responsibility, deploying them correctly on the field, and managing the match well under various circumstances. These aspects will be decisive in the playoff match."

Shahad praised the experience of Iraqi national team coach Graham Arnold, indicating that the technical staff has the capability to handle a match of this magnitude, especially since the game may witness many different scenarios.

He explained: "The anticipated match requires thinking about all details and possibilities, including the possibility of it extending to extra time or even going to penalty kicks, so the team must be prepared for all scenarios."

The Iraqi coach touched on the circulating news regarding the potential exclusion of Duhok player Peter Korkis from the national team list, expressing hope that this news is not accurate.

He said in this regard: "If Peter Korkis is indeed out of the list, I hope this is not true because he is a decisive player and can make a difference at any moment."

He added: "Playoff matches are usually decided by small details and perhaps by just one goal, so you need players capable of seizing opportunities and making a difference in crucial moments, and thank God most of our players regularly participate with their clubs."

The Iraqi national team delegation is expected to head to Amman in the coming days before traveling to Mexico, where the Mexican government has decided to grant the Iraqi team all administrative facilities and allow the issuance of entry visas from any Mexican embassy in the world, considering the circumstances they are going through.