Iraq set to leave for Mexico for World Cup play-off

Berlin [Germany], March 16: Iraq's national football team no longer seeks a postponment of their World Cup play-off match in late March and will travel to Mexico for it at the end of the week in a private plan.
Iraq FA president Adnan Dirjal made the announcement late Saturday in a statement on Instagram.
Iraq are due to play the winner of Bolivia v Suriname on March 31 in Monterrey for one of the six last berths at the June 11-July 19 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Iraq's plans had been thrown into disarray when the US and Israel started air strikes against Iran and Iran retaliated against countries in the region which have a US military presence.
Closed air spaces and visa issues had prompted a call to postpone the match but Dirjal said the problems have been solved together with the world governing body FIFA and the Asian confederation.
Dirjal said the implementation is "proceeding at full pace" and added: "We have one goal, qualifying for the World Cup. Our focus ...
is on providing the appropriate conditions for the players to focus on this match and achieve the dream of the Iraqi fans." Iraq have only played at the World Cup once, 1986 in Mexico.
Looking at statements that Iran may withdraw from the tournament and Iraq could reportedly take its place, Dirjal said that "there is nothing official" and that "we must focus on our match" on March 31.
Source: Qatar Tribune