Graham Arnold is appealing to FIFA for assistance as the escalating tensions between Iran and the United States jeopardize his efforts to guide Iraq to its first World Cup appearance in 40 years.
The former Socceroos manager is urging football’s international governing body to devise an alternative strategy for Iraq’s World Cup playoff, which is set to occur later this month.
The Lions of Mesopotamia are scheduled to compete in a decisive match against the victor of a playoff between Suriname and Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico, on March 31, with the FIFA window commencing on March 23.
This encounter with either Suriname or Bolivia will determine if Iraq secures a spot in its first global tournament since 1986.
However, preparations for Iraq’s match have been thrown into disarray due to the escalating conflict in the area. Iraqi airspace is not expected to reopen until April 1, the day following Iraq’s planned match against the winner of the Suriname-Bolivia playoff.
Arnold, speaking to AAP from the UAE while receiving an emergency alert on his phone, has a straightforward request for FIFA: “Please assist us with this game because we are currently struggling to get our players out of Iraq.”
Nearly 60 percent of Arnold’s preferred squad is comprised of players from the domestic Iraqi league, but these athletes, along with many of his support staff, including interpreter and former Sydney FC winger Ali Abbas, are still unable to leave Iraq.
A pre-match training camp in Houston has already been postponed, with visa and travel uncertainties adding further pressure to Arnold’s plans.
“In my view, if FIFA were to postpone the match, it would provide us with the necessary time to prepare adequately,” Arnold told AAP. “Let Bolivia face Suriname this month, and then a week before the World Cup, we can play the winner in the US — the victor of that match continues on, while the loser goes home.
“In my opinion, this also gives FIFA additional time to determine Iran’s course of action.
“If Iran withdraws, we enter the World Cup, and it allows the UAE, whom we defeated in qualifying, the opportunity to prepare for either Bolivia or Suriname.
“Our federation’s president Adnan Dirjal is tirelessly working to plan and prepare to fulfill everyone’s dream in Iraq, so we need this decision made swiftly.”
If FIFA is unable to accommodate Arnold’s request, the 62-year-old is concerned about how his players and staff will manage to exit Iraq on such short notice.
Some of Iraq’s domestic football matches have also been affected by missile strikes in Erbil, where a U.S. airbase is located.
Arnold expressed that there is little chance of assembling a competitive team solely from players based outside of Iraq.
“It wouldn’t represent our strongest team, and we require our best players for the country’s most significant match in 40 years,” he stated.
Arnold is eager to lead Iraq to their first World Cup in four decades.
The Australian previously guided the Socceroos to the 2022 tournament, achieving a historic run to the round of 16, where they were defeated by eventual champions Argentina.
“The Iraqi people are incredibly passionate about football, which is remarkable,” Arnold remarked. “The fact that they haven’t qualified in 40 years is likely the primary reason I accepted this position.
“However, at this moment, with the airport being closed, we are diligently seeking alternative solutions.”
Information from AAP was utilized in this report.
