🇮🇶 Iraq's journey to the brink of World Cup qualification has been an arduous one (literally and figuratively)

The Lions of Mesopotamia have faced all sorts of challenges!

Had FIFA gotten its way, Iraq’s trip to Mexico for this week’s World Cup intercontinental playoffs would have included a 25-hour journey by road.

With Iraq’s airspace closed due to war in Iran, this would have seen Graham Arnold and his players travel to Turkey before flying to Mexico. FIFA’s suggestion, however, was rejected.

Instead, The Lions of Mesopotamia travelled on a charter flight last week and will now face Bolivia or Suriname on Tuesday for a place at the 2026 World Cup.

Their preparations have been far from ideal, but Iraq are on the brink of qualifying for only their second World Cup and their first since 1986. History is at stake for a football-mad nation that has made big strides forward recently.

The chaos around the intercontinental playoffs shouldn’t mask how this moment has been a long, long time in the making. Even longer than the journey to the match.