Iraq flies private jet to Mexico for World Cup play-offs

Iraq will travel to Mexico on a private jet for a World Cup play-off tie despite calls from coach Graham Arnold to postpone the game amid the US-Israeli war, the president of the Iraqi Football Federation has said.

Iraq will face Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey on March 31, with the winner of the intercontinental play-off qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Mideast airspace has been closed since the United States and Israel began launching attacks on February 28, with Iran responding by firing missiles and drones at Israel, Gulf states and other neighboring countries.

But in a video statement released by the Iraqi News Agency, Iraqi Football Association president Adnan Dijal said he had written to FIFA to explain the “difficulties of the journey” and that world football’s governing body had been “cooperating”.

“(FIFA President Gianni) Infantino instructed (FIFA Secretary General) Matias Grafström… to follow up and help overcome all difficulties to facilitate the departure of our national teams to Mexico.

“The national team will fly to Mexico on a private jet this weekend.”