The International Football Federation (FIFA) has stated that the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, will proceed as scheduled. This decision was made amid growing concerns related to the military conflict in the Middle East, which could impact the schedule of qualifying matches. The intercontinental playoff match involving the Iraqi national team, scheduled for March 31 in Mexico, has become a focal point of discussions, where the Iraqi team will face the winner of the matchup between Bolivia and Suriname.
Graham Arnold, the head coach of the Iraqi national team, noted that the team is facing serious difficulties in organizing their trip. Some players and team members are still awaiting visas, and the closure of airspace in the region creates additional obstacles for departure. In this regard, Arnold suggested postponing the match to give the players more time to prepare. He believes it would be reasonable to first hold the match between Bolivia and Suriname, and then Iraq could play against the team that advances from that pairing.
These issues have intensified amid the escalation of the conflict between Iran, the USA, and Israel, leading to mutual rocket attacks and flight restrictions in several countries in the region. Despite this, FIFA has assured that the World Cup itself is not in jeopardy. This tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time, and FIFA's Chief Operating Officer, Haimo Shirgi, expressed hope for an improvement in the situation, assuring that the timelines for the World Championship will be adhered to. As of now, no official changes to the schedule of qualifying matches have been announced.
