Mexico’s Foreign Ministry has started issuing visas to players of the Iraqi national team ahead of the intercontinental World Cup qualifier in Monterrey on March 31.
The Iraqi team faces logistical problems due to disruptions caused by the war in Iran.
“On March 8, some players were processed at the Mexican Embassy in Saudi Arabia, and tomorrow other people will be processed at the Embassy in Qatar,” the State Department said in a statement late Monday vch2.
The government has not specified the names or how many players have been granted visas.
Iraq will face the winner of the Suriname-Bolivia match for a place at the World Cup – moving into a group with France, Norway and Senegal.
Mexico, the United States and Canada will jointly host the World Cup, which starts on June 11.
Iraqi head coach Graham Arnold has asked FIFA to postpone the intercontinental qualifier. With Iraqi airspace closed, Arnold’s squad – which mainly includes players from the domestic league – cannot fully come together.
Mexico does not have an embassy in Iraq.
The Foreign Ministry added that it is in contact with the Iraqi embassy in Mexico and that it is ready to “provide all necessary assistance in documenting the members of the Iraqi national team.”
Published on March 11, 2026
