Iraq taking private plane to Mexico for World Cup play-off - BBC Sport

## Summary
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Iraq have only qualified for one previous World Cup Published 18 minutes ago Iraq will travel to Mexico by private plane for their World Cup play-off despite calls from coach Graham Arnold to postpone the match amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, the Iraqi Football Association's president says. Iraq are due to face either Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey on 31 March, with the winner of the inter-continental play-off booking their place at the 2026 World Cup. But in a video statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency, Iraq FA chief Adnan Dirjal said he had written to Fifa to explain the "difficulty of the journey" and world football's governing body had been "co-operative". "[Fifa president Gianni] Infantino directed [Fifa secretary general] Mattias Grafstrom... to follow up and help overcome all difficulties to facilitate the departure of our national team to Mexico. "The national team will depart at the end of the week to Mexico via a private plane." Iran, the US, and a World Cup that starts in three months Published 1 March Trump 'does not care' if Iran play at World Cup Published 3 March Mexico to deploy 100,000 security personnel for World Cup Published 6 March Iraq beat the United Arab Emirates 3-2 on aggregate in the fifth round of the World Cup qualifiers in Asia last November to book their place in the inter-continental play-off. We have one goal, which is qualifying for the World Cup," Dirjal said. "Therefore, our focus in the Iraqi Football Association and the coaching staff is on providing all the appropriate conditions for the players to focus on this match and achieve the dream of the Iraqi fans." Related topics Football FIFA World Cup More on this story Follow your club with BBC Sport Published 2 days ago Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Published 16 August 2025

## Article Content
Image source,
Getty Images
Image caption,
Iraq have only qualified for one previous World Cup
Published
18 minutes ago
Iraq will travel to Mexico by private plane for their World Cup play-off despite calls from coach Graham Arnold to postpone the match amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, the Iraqi Football Association's president says.
Iraq are due to face either Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey on 31 March, with the winner of the inter-continental play-off booking their place at the 2026 World Cup.
Airspace in the Middle East has been closed since 28 February when US-Israeli strikes began and Iran responded by firing missiles and drones at Israel, Gulf states and other nearby countries.
But in a video statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency, Iraq FA chief Adnan Dirjal said he had written to Fifa to explain the "difficulty of the journey" and world football's governing body had been "co-operative".
"[Fifa president Gianni] Infantino directed [Fifa secretary general] Mattias Grafstrom... to follow up and help overcome all difficulties to facilitate the departure of our national team to Mexico.
"The national team will depart at the end of the week to Mexico via a private plane."
Iran, the US, and a World Cup that starts in three months
Published
1 March
Trump 'does not care' if Iran play at World Cup
Published
3 March
Mexico to deploy 100,000 security personnel for World Cup
Published
6 March
Iraq beat the United Arab Emirates 3-2 on aggregate in the fifth round of the World Cup qualifiers in Asia last November to book their place in the inter-continental play-off.
They are bidding to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. This year's tournament will be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada from 11 June.
Dirjal also confirmed Iraq had secured entry visas to Mexico with Europe-based players joining separately.
"My message to everyone: only 17 days remain, and we must focus and prepare for the match. We have one goal, which is qualifying for the World Cup," Dirjal said.
"Therefore, our focus in the Iraqi Football Association and the coaching staff is on providing all the appropriate conditions for the players to focus on this match and achieve the dream of the Iraqi fans."
Related topics
Football
FIFA World Cup
More on this story
Follow your club with BBC Sport
Published
2 days ago
Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
Get football news sent straight to your phone
Published
16 August 2025

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
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### Areas for Consideration
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### Implications
- Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Iraq have only qualified for one previous World Cup Published 18 minutes ago Iraq will travel to Mexico by private plane for their World Cup play-off despite calls from coach Graham Arnold to postpone the match amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, the Iraqi Football Association's president says.
- But in a video statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency, Iraq FA chief Adnan Dirjal said he had written to Fifa to explain the "difficulty of the journey" and world football's governing body had been "co-operative". "[Fifa president Gianni] Infantino directed [Fifa secretary general] Mattias Grafstrom... to follow up and help overcome all difficulties to facilitate the departure of our national team to Mexico. "The national team will depart at the end of the week to Mexico via a private plane." Iran, the US, and a World Cup that starts in three months Published 1 March Trump 'does not care' if Iran play at World Cup Published 3 March Mexico to deploy 100,000 security personnel for World Cup Published 6 March Iraq beat the United Arab Emirates 3-2 on aggregate in the fifth round of the World Cup qualifiers in Asia last November to book their place in the inter-continental play-off.
- This year's tournament will be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada from 11 June.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers world, cup, iraq topics. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 415.