Iraq coach calls for World Cup playoff to be re-scheduled

Deutsche Tageszeitung - Iraq coach calls for World Cup playoff to be re-scheduled

Iraq coach calls for World Cup playoff to be re-scheduled / Photo: © AFP

The Iraqis are due to face either Suriname or Bolivia on March 31 in the Mexican city of Monterrey for a place in the World Cup finals, but with Iraqi airspace closed until April 1, Arnold's squad is unable to gather or travel.

"If the game goes ahead in Mexico we have the difficulties of getting out of Baghdad," Arnold, an Australian, told CNN.

"About 60% of my players play in Iraq, all my backroom staff live in Iraq, all my medical staff live in Qatar and we're having trouble getting Mexican visas at this moment," he added.

Arnold said he had already been forced to cancel a training camp in the United States.

"That has all been scrapped now, because we can't get out of Baghdad," he said.

"FIFA need to obviously make a quick decision on this because it is a bit unfair at this moment, with what we would have to go through."

He suggested that Suriname and Bolivia could go ahead with their playoff in Monterrey on March 26 and the winner of that game could play Iraq in the United States just before the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11.

"Suriname could always play Bolivia if we can't get there, and we could always play the winner just before the World Cup and (that) lets us prepare properly and do everything required to be successful," Arnold said.

"Bolivia and Suriname can play in March, they've got no complications with flights or anything, they can get there straight away and we could play the winner

"The winner stays and plays the World Cup and the loser goes home."

Arnold said the Iraqi football authorities were in close contact with FIFA, but he admitted the situation was taking its toll.

"It's one step at a time, it's stressful, (I've had) a lot of sleepless nights worrying about getting that planning right," he said.

(A.Nikiforov--DTZ)

Government Overspends €607 Million on International Protection Accommodation in 2024

The Irish government recorded a €607 million overspend on international protection accommodation in 2024, according to a new report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Total expenditure on international protection and Ukraine accommodation reached €2.3 billion, driven by record applicant numbers and reliance on commercial providers.

Three Arizona Judges Face Rare Defeat in Retention Elections

Three Arizona judges appointed by former Gov. Doug Ducey are facing rare defeats in their retention elections, with unofficial results showing all three trailing voters despite receiving favorable evaluations from the state’s judicial performance commission. The outcomes have sparked debate among legal experts regarding the future of judicial impartiality and the influence of partisan politics on the bench.

Florida AG Investigates DSA Politicians Over Suspected Chinese and Cuban Funding

Florida Attorney-General James Uthmeier has initiated a formal investigation into the financial activities of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) politicians, focusing on allegations of foreign funding. The probe examines whether tens of thousands of dollars provided by China and Cuba were used to finance official travel for DSA delegates in 2025.

Qatar Leads Diplomatic Push to Bridge US-Iran Divide Amid Regional Tensions

Qatar is advancing a comprehensive diplomatic campaign aimed at reducing tensions between the United States and Iran and promoting regional stability. Following high-level meetings in Washington with US leadership, Qatari officials reported sustained consultations with international partners to prevent escalation and support peace efforts across the Middle East and beyond.