Iraq coach Graham Arnold has called for the team’s inter-confederation World Cup playoff in Mexico later this month to be postponed amidst the travel chaos triggered by the conflict in neighbouring ​Iran.

The Iraqis are concerned they might not be able to get their players and ‌staff over to Mexico for their scheduled clash with either Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey on March 31 because of the travel lockdown in the Middle East.

Arnold said putting together a team solely with players based outside ​Iraq would hinder the country’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup for the first ​time since 1986.

“It wouldn’t be our best team, and we need our best ⁠team available for the country’s biggest game in 40 years,” the Australian told the Australian Associated ​Press from his home in the United Arab Emirates.

“The Iraqi people are so passionate about the game ​of football that it is insane. The fact that they haven’t qualified for 40 years is probably the main reason I took this job.

“But at this stage, with the airport being shut down, we are working hard to ​try and find another alternative.”

Iraqi airspace has been closed since the United States and Israel launched air ​attacks on Iran on February 28, and the Islamic Republic responded by firing missiles and drones at Israel, Gulf ‌states ⁠and other nearby countries.

– United Arab Emirates v Iraq – Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – November 13, 2025 Iraq players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo 

Bolivia and Suriname are scheduled to meet in the inter-confederation playoff semi-final in Monterrey on March 26 to decide which team meets Iraq in the final five days later.

“In my opinion, if FIFA were to delay the game, it would give us time to prepare properly,” Arnold added.

“Let ​Bolivia play Suriname this month ​, and then a week ⁠before the World Cup, we play the winner in the US – the winner of that game stays on, and the loser goes home.

“Our federation’s ​president, Adnan Dirjal, is working around the clock trying to plan and prepare ​to make ⁠everyone in Iraq’s dream come true, so we need this decision made quickly.”

The finals take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

There was no immediate response to a ⁠request ​for comment on Arnold’s suggestion from FIFA, global soccer’s governing ​body.

New Caledonia, Jamaica and the Democratic Republic of Congo will travel to Guadalajara later this month to compete in the other ​three-way playoff for a ticket to the World Cup finals.

-Reuters

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A masked fan unplugged a VAR monitor during a German second division match on ​Sunday in an audacious act of sabotage ‌that left the referee looking at a blank screen when he was called to review a potential penalty.

The ​bizarre incident unfolded during the Bundesliga 2 ​clash between Preussen Muenster and visiting Hertha ⁠Berlin, when referee Felix Bickel was summoned ​to the pitchside monitor only to discover that ​someone had yanked out the power plug.

According to Muenster’s website, a masked supporter had infiltrated the interior and unplugged the VAR monitor, sabotaging the review process. German media reported that at the same time, home ‌fans ⁠displayed a banner reading “Pull the plug on VAR”.

With Bickel unable to view the replay, VAR official Katrin Rafalski in Cologne was forced to make the decision remotely, ruling ⁠that the challenge was indeed a foul, prompting Bickel to award the penalty, which Hertha duly converted.

The Berlin side ​eventually ⁠won the match 2–1 with a stoppage-time goal.

Muenster later said the incident appeared to have been ⁠a ​planned action and that the ​club would do everything in its power to identify those responsible.

-Reuters

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Former Germany striker Karl-Heinz Riedle has played down his country’s chances of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that Die Mannschaft may struggle to match the strength of leading contenders such as Spain, France and Brazil.

Germany, four-time world champions and historically among the most consistent teams in global football, have seen expectations dip after suffering back-to-back group-stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

Riedle, a member of the team that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup, believes the current German side is capable of progressing from its group at the 2026 finals in North America but may find it difficult to challenge for the title.

“It is a group Germany definitely should survive. If we can’t survive, that would be a really big blow,” Riedle told Singaporean newspaper, The Straits Times, during a visit to Singapore. “But I’m not sure they can win it. A good result would be reaching the quarter-finals or the semi-finals.”

Germany have been drawn alongside Curacao, Cote d’Ivoire and Ecuador, a grouping Riedle believes should be manageable despite concerns over injuries to key players.

The 60-year-old former forward, who also played for Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool FC and Fulham FC, singled out Spain, France and Brazil as the strongest contenders for the 2026 crown.

“Spain, France and Brazil have the best players and the best teams,” he said. “Spain are European champions, France have reached the last two finals, and Brazil are always there.”

Riedle also suggested that England could emerge as a dark horse under new coach Thomas Tuchel, noting that a change in leadership could help the Three Lions finally translate their talent into major tournament success.

Germany’s preparations for the tournament remain complicated. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann inherited a side in transition in 2023 after the dismissal of Hansi Flick and continues to grapple with several squad issues.

Injuries to attacking stars Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz have raised doubts about their readiness for the tournament, while uncertainty persists in goal following the international retirement of Manuel Neuer. Girona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has also been sidelined by injury, leaving Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann to fill the No. 1 role despite limited international experience.

Nagelsmann has also acknowledged problems in midfield, noting a shortage of physically dominant defensive midfielders capable of winning aerial duels.

Despite the concerns, Riedle believes young talent such as Florian Wirtz could still play a decisive role. The 22-year-old, who recently completed a £100 million move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool, has faced criticism after a slow start in England, but Riedle remains confident in his ability.

“He is the best talent we have had from Germany for a long time,” he said. “He had to adapt, but you will see his best.”

For Riedle, however, Germany’s success will ultimately depend on rediscovering the collective spirit that defined their triumph under Franz Beckenbauer in 1990.

“Our biggest strength then was that the team came first,” he recalled. “We had individual stars, but the coach brought them together to build a strong group. That is what Germany must look for again.”

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