Iraq's hopes of reaching their first World Cup since 1986 hang in the balance after manager Graham Arnold made a direct appeal to Fifa to postpone their crucial intercontinental playoff fixture.
The match against either Bolivia or Suriname, scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey in Mexico, is now looking uncertain due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Arnold, the former Australia boss who guided the Socceroos to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, expressed his concerns publicly.
He said: "Please help us with this game because right now we are struggling to get our players out of the country of Iraq."
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The 62-year-old Australian, who took charge of Iraq in May last year, warned that fielding a weakened squad would be unacceptable for such a momentous occasion.
Arnold said: "It wouldn't be our best team and we need our best team for the country's biggest game in 40 years.
"The Iraqi people are so passionate about the game that it is insane. The fact that they haven't qualified for 40 years is probably the main reason I took this job."
Fifa's proposed solution to the travel crisis was swiftly dismissed by the Iraqi camp.
Iraq's hopes of reaching its first World Cup since 1986 hang in the balance
|GETTY
The world governing body suggested that players make an overland journey from Baghdad to Istanbul, a gruelling 25-hour trek through northern Iraq.
Arnold refused to sanction the plan, given that the route passes through regions targeted by Iranian drone strikes since hostilities began.
The coach is understood to have informed the Iraqi FA that he will not permit his squad to travel by road while the conflict continues.
Arnold has put forward an alternative arrangement that he believes would benefit all parties involved.
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Graham Arnold has made a direct appeal to Fifa to postpone their crucial intercontinental playoff fixture
|GETTY
He explained: "In my opinion, if Fifa were to delay the game, it gives us time to prepare properly. Let Bolivia play Suriname this month and then a week before the World Cup, we play the winner in the US – the winner of that game stays on and the loser goes home."
The coach suggested this approach would also provide Fifa with additional time to assess Iran's participation in the tournament.
Should Iran withdraw from the World Cup, Iraq would take their automatic qualification spot as the highest-ranked Asian team, while the United Arab Emirates would enter the playoff instead.
The logistical challenges facing Iraq extend far beyond the rejected road journey proposal.
Approximately half of the national squad are currently stranded in Baghdad, unable to depart the country
|GETTY
Iraqi airspace has remained closed since February 28 due to Iranian airstrikes, with no reopening expected until April 1, the day after the scheduled playoff.
Approximately half of the national squad are currently stranded in Baghdad, unable to depart the country.
Arnold himself remains stuck in Dubai, separated from his players and unable to coordinate preparations in person.
Further complications emerged over travel documentation, with several players and backroom staff yet to secure visas for either Mexico or the United States, where a pre-match training camp in Houston had been planned before its cancellation.
Iraqi FA president Adnan Dirjal is reportedly working tirelessly to resolve these issues.
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