The last six qualifying teams will be confirmed in the last week of March, but the international playoff is facing logistical problems. The war in the Middle East is affecting the planning of the Iraqi team, which aspires to compete in the World Cup for the second time in its history. The 2026 World Cup is heating up while the last spots for the group stage are yet to be decided. So far, the organization led by Gianni Infantino is maintaining the original date. We are having serious difficulties getting our players out of Iraq, the coach explained after FIFA ratified March 31 as the date for the historic match for the Asian team. In this context, Graham insisted on the problems Iraq is facing to be able to attend this match against the winner between Bolivia and Suriname: It would not be our best team, and we need the best available team for the most important match in the country's history. In this regard, the Iraqi Federation made a formal request to FIFA to postpone the date of the international playoff, which will take place in Mexico in the last week of October.
