Iraq's participation in the intercontinental World Cup playoffs is in doubt after the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) entered crisis talks with Fifa over travel restrictions caused by the closure of the country's airspace. The Guardian has learned that the IFA received a letter from Iraqi Airways and the Ministry of Transportation stating that the airspace will remain closed for 'at least four weeks', leaving around 40% of the squad unable to travel.
The team's Australian coach, Graham Arnold, is grounded in Dubai. The only alternative route, a 25-hour road journey from Baghdad to Turkey through northern Iraq, may be discounted on safety grounds. Additionally, many players and backroom staff have yet to receive visas for Mexico or the United States, where the IFA had planned a training camp in Houston. Several embassies in the Middle East have closed due to the US-Iran conflict, and visa processing may not be completed in time even if airspace reopens.
Iraq have already qualified for one of two finals in the six-team playoff tournament, which will determine two more World Cup finalists. They are scheduled to face the winners of Bolivia versus Suriname in Monterrey on 31 March. Iraq are also seen as the most likely candidate to replace Iran should their neighbours withdraw from the World Cup, being the next highest-ranked team in the Asian Football Confederation qualifying tournament.
Fifa has informed the IFA that the playoff will go ahead, but the situation escalated with the travel ban's extent. A source with the Iraqi team said: 'We're scattered around the world at the moment, and just trying to prepare as best we can. We have to plan as if the game is going ahead, but that doesn't seem likely at the moment. We're talking to Fifa, who want the game to take place, but there are lots of obstacles to overcome.'
Iraq's visa difficulties add to the disruption. A planned training camp in Houston was abandoned because not all players have US visas, and obtaining Mexican visas is proving difficult. Mexico does not have an embassy in Baghdad, and alternatives in Qatar and the UAE are now closed. The IFA stated it is in 'constant communication with Fifa regarding the arrangements for our national team's participation' in the playoffs.
