World Cup 2026 Playoff: Mexico Grants Partial Visas to Iraqi Players
In an exciting move just days before the playoff match qualifying for the World Cup 2026, the Mexican Foreign Ministry has begun granting entry visas to some players of the Iraqi national team, in preparation for facing the winner of the match between Suriname and Bolivia, scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico.
The Iraqi team is facing significant logistical challenges due to the repercussions of the ongoing war between Iran, the U.S., and Israel, making player movement within Iraq nearly impossible after the closure of Iraqi airspace.
The Mexican Foreign Ministry stated in a press release on March 8 that some visa applications have been approved at the Mexican embassy in Saudi Arabia, while the remaining applications will be approved later at the Mexican embassy in Qatar.
However, it did not disclose the names or number of players who have received visas so far.
For his part, Graham Arnold, the coach of the Iraqi national team, has called on FIFA to postpone the match due to the difficulties in gathering players, most of whom primarily play in the Iraqi domestic league.
It is worth noting that there is no Mexican embassy in Iraq, which has complicated the procedures.
The Mexican Foreign Ministry confirmed that it is in constant communication with the Iraqi embassy in Mexico and is ready to provide all necessary support to document the details of the team members.
It is important to note that the World Cup 2026 playoff will determine the last two teams qualifying for the tournament to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
