The Iraqi FA has rejected Fifa’s suggestion of 25-hour road journey to participate in March playoffs
Iraq head coach Graham Arnold has urged Fifa to postpone his team’s World Cup playoff match as the war in Iran continues to disrupt football in the Middle East.
The former Australia manager is trying to guide Iraq to their first World Cup appearance since 1986, but the conflict involving neighbouring Iran and the US has complicated the team’s travel plans.
Iraqi airspace is currently closed and not expected to reopen until at least April, while Iraq are scheduled to play a decisive playoff match in Monterrey, Mexico.
The Middle Eastern team are due to face the winner of a separate playoff between Suriname and Bolivia on 31 March, with the victor securing a place at the World Cup.
However, Arnold says it has become extremely difficult for his squad to assemble due to travel problems.
“Please help us with this game because right now we are struggling to get our players out of the country of Iraq,” said Arnold. “In my opinion, if Fifa were to delay the game, it gives us time to prepare properly.
“Let Bolivia play Suriname this month and then a week before the World Cup, we play the winner in the US, the winner of that game stays on and the loser goes home.
“In my opinion, it also gives Fifa more time to decide what Iran is going to do. If Iran withdraws, we go into the World Cup, and it gives the UAE, who we beat in qualifying, the chance to prepare for either Bolivia or Suriname.”
Fifa’s plan is for Iraq to travel 25 hours by road to Turkey, where they could then take a flight to Mexico, but it is understood that the Iraqi FA has rejected this plan.
The global players’ union Fifpro has also weighed in, urging organisers to prioritise player safety.
“The player’s safety should be the priority for everyone right now,” said Beau Busch, president of Fifpro for the Asia and Oceania confederations.
“So, any measure that needs to be taken, even if it’s seen to be a little bit potentially over the top right now, we would far prefer all of the [Asian Football Confederation], Fifa and others to adopt an incredibly conservative approach right now, to make sure everything possible is done to safeguard the interests of players. That needs to be first and foremost in everyone’s mind right now.”
