Mexico grants visas to some Iraq players for World Cup qualifier in Monterrey

By: The Associated Press Posted: 2:32 PM CDT Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026 Last Modified: 6:31 PM CDT Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026

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MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun granting visas to players from Iraq’s national team ahead of the World Cup intercontinental qualifier scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/03/2026 (208 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Iraqi team is facing logistical issues because of disruptions caused by the Iran war.

“On March 8, some players were processed at the Mexican Embassy in Saudi Arabia, and tomorrow other people are scheduled to be processed at the Embassy in Qatar,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported in a statement late Monday.

FILE- Iraqi's head coach Graham Arnold sits on the bench at the start of the 2026 World Cup play off first leg soccer match between UAE and Iraq in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Walid Ibrahim, File)

The government did not specify the names or how many players were granted visas.

Iraq is set to face the winner of the match between Suriname and Bolivia for a spot in the World Cup — to be in the group with France, Norway and Senegal.

Mexico, the United States and Canada are co-hosting the World Cup, which begins June 11.

Iraq head coach Graham Arnold has asked FIFA to postpone the intercontinental qualifier. With Iraqi airspace closed, Arnold’s squad — containing predominantly players from the domestic league — is unable to fully gather.

Mexico does not have an embassy in Iraq.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that it is in contact with the Iraqi Embassy in Mexico and that they are willing “to provide all necessary assistance in documenting the members of the Iraqi national team.”

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer