"The national team will depart at the end of the week to Mexico via a private plane. [Fifa president Gianni] Infantino directed [Fifa secretary general] Mattias Grafstrom... to follow up and help overcome all difficulties to facilitate the departure of our national team to Mexico."
"My message to everyone: only 17 days remain, and we must focus and prepare for the match. We have one goal, which is qualifying for the World Cup. Therefore, our focus in the Iraqi Football Association and the coaching staff is on providing all the appropriate conditions for the players to focus on this match and achieve the dream of the Iraqi fans."
"Iraq beat the United Arab Emirates 3-2 on aggregate in the fifth round of the World Cup qualifiers in Asia last November to book their place in the inter-continental play-off. They are bidding to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986."
Iraq's national football team will proceed to Mexico via private plane for their World Cup inter-continental play-off against either Bolivia or Suriname on March 31, despite regional airspace closures since February 28 due to US-Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliation. Iraq FA president Adnan Dirjal confirmed that FIFA cooperated to facilitate the team's departure, with Fifa president Gianni Infantino directing assistance to overcome travel difficulties. The team will depart at week's end, with Europe-based players joining separately after securing Mexican entry visas. Iraq seeks to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986, with the tournament scheduled for June 11 in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
#world-cup-qualifiers #iraq-national-team #middle-east-conflict #international-football #travel-logistics
Read at www.bbc.com
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