File Photo: Indonesia's Rafael William Struick (center) fights for the ball with Iraq's Suad Natiq Naji during the Asian Cup Group D soccer match between Indonesia and Iraq at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. AP
“Because of airspace closures, our head coach, Graham Arnold, is unable to leave the United Arab Emirates,” the Iraqi soccer federation said in a statement on Instagram on Wednesday. “In addition, several embassies remain closed at the present time, preventing several professional players, technical and medical staff members from obtaining entry visas to Mexico.”
Iraq is scheduled to play Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey, Mexico on March 31 for one of the last two qualification places for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The federation said it is in “constant communication with FIFA regarding the arrangements for our national team’s participation” in the match. It said the Asian Football Confederation is also “fully aware of every development regarding our team’s situation.”
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