MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT IMPACTS IRAQ PREPARATION FOR WORLD CUP PLAY-OFF

STUTTGART, March 5 (Bernama-dpa) -- The conflict in the Middle East is impacting Iraq's preparation for an upcoming World Cup play-off in Mexico as embassies and air spaces are closed in the region, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

Iraq's FA said on the social media platform Instagram on Wednesday that coach Graham Arnold is stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The delegation also appears to have trouble obtaining visas for the March 31 match in Monterrey, Mexico, where Iraq face the winner of a tie between Bolivia and Suriname for a place at the June 11-July 19 finals in the United States (US), Mexico and Canada.

Iraq are bidding to play at the World Cup for a second time, the first being in 1986.

“Because of airspace closures, our head coach, Graham Arnold, is unable to leave the UAE. In addition, several embassies remain closed at present, preventing some professional players, technical and medical staff members from obtaining entry visas to Mexico,” the statement said.

Mexico has no embassy in Iraq, but its foreign ministry said that its embassy in the UAE is dealing with the matter and has asked the Iraqi FA to submit all names to speed up procedures.

It said that visas could also be obtained at its embassies in Europe.

The Iraq statement on Instagram said they are "in constant communication" with FIFA and that the world governing body, as well as the Asian Confederation, AFC, are fully aware of every development regarding our team's situation."

--BERNAMA-dpa