Iraq will travel 12 hours by bus to play the World Cup Play-Off match

The national team of Iraq may be forced to undertake a long and difficult bus journey to the border with Jordan in order to continue their trip to Mexico, where they are scheduled to play the intercontinental play-off match for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The situation has arisen because Iraq’s airspace has been closed for security reasons following ongoing tensions and conflict between Iran and the United States. As a result, many players from the Iraqi national team have been stranded in Baghdad and are unable to travel by plane.

To reach international airports and continue their journey to Mexico, the players may first be forced to travel by bus to the Jordanian border, a route that could take around 12 hours and passes through areas affected by regional tensions.

Iraq’s Australian coach, Graham Arnold, had earlier requested that the decisive play-off match be postponed, arguing that his team currently has no way to travel. However, so far FIFA has not confirmed any decision to postpone the match.

Iraq earned the right to play in this play-off after defeating the United Arab Emirates and is now set to face the winner of the match between Bolivia and Suriname for a place in the World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Football Federation is also considering an alternative plan: assembling part of the squad abroad by using players who play for European clubs or in other international leagues. However, this solution is complicated, as several key players and members of the coaching staff are still in Iraq and must find a safe way to leave the country.

“KORÇA BOOM”