Iraq vs Bolivia: A Nation’s Hope for World Cup Glory
MONTERREY, Mexico – The road to the 2026 World Cup has been anything but smooth for Iraq. Just weeks ago, national team coach Graham Arnold found himself stranded in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, questioning whether his team would even have the opportunity to compete for a spot in the tournament. Now, after a grueling journey to Mexico, Iraq stands on the brink of returning to the World Cup stage for the first time in 40 years, facing Bolivia in the final of their intercontinental playoff in Monterrey on Tuesday.
A Journey Marked by Adversity
“It’s been very difficult being stranded, I’d rather not talk about it,” Arnold admitted during a press conference on Monday. “I try to remove all of that from the players’ brains because a lot of things are going on in the Middle East.” Despite the turmoil, Arnold emphasized the team’s resilience and focus. “Players know what they’re doing, they seem very relaxed and ready to go.”
The challenges began when Iranian missiles struck near Fujairah while Arnold and his wife were in the area. The Australian coach eventually made his way to Dubai, but rejoining the team was delayed. Adding to the difficulties, Iraqi players were initially unable to leave the country due to airspace closures, prompting a formal request to FIFA for a postponement of the playoff match.
“I came from Europe directly to Monterrey, but for the rest of the players who play in the Iraqi local league, they had a long trip, but we had a lot of time to recover from that,” explained Merchas Doski, a left-back for Viktoria Plzen in the Czech first league. “We are fully prepared.”
Visa Hurdles and a 25-Hour Trek
The obstacles didn’t end there. Mexico’s lack of an embassy in Iraq created significant visa complications for the players. However, the Mexican foreign affairs ministry stepped in, facilitating visas through regional embassies. The team finally arrived in Monterrey on March 21, completing a 25-hour journey fraught with travel restrictions and a layover in Portugal.
A Nation’s Dream
“It has been very tough 20 days for us, but it is an honor and a privilege to be here,” said Arnold, who previously led the Socceroos to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup. “I lived in Australia for a long time and I know that qualifying for a World Cup can change a nation.”
Since arriving in Mexico, the team has acclimated to the climate and enjoyed training sessions, even interacting with local schoolchildren who have shown their support. “They (Mexican fans) have been amazing. It’s really fun to see that they cheer us,” said Aimar Sher, who plays for Sarpsborg 08 in Norway. “We talked about it a couple of days ago that their support means a lot to us and we’re very happy to have them by our side.”
To secure their second-ever World Cup berth – their first since 1986 – Iraq must overcome Bolivia, who defeated Suriname 2-1 in the intercontinental playoff semifinals. Arnold remains optimistic. “It has been fantastic, it is an absolute honor to get Iraq to this part of the playoffs after 40 years and with just one more game to go,” he stated. “I am confident that it will be a very special night for Iraq.”
Further Reading: AP Soccer
