Iraq wants a new location for its upcoming World Cup qualifier against Palestine. The match, scheduled for March 25, is part of Group B in the Asian qualifying rounds. FIFA originally suggested Amman, Jordan, as a neutral venue, but Iraq objects. The Iraqi Football Association (IFA) insists that playing in Amman violates FIFA’s neutral venue regulations.
Iraq seeks a fair venue for the crucial qualifier, arguing that Amman gives Jordan an unfair advantage. Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine are direct competitors in Group B, making venue selection critical. Iraq currently holds second place with 11 points, leading Jordan by two points and trailing South Korea by three. The top two teams in the group will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Palestine originally wanted to host the match at Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium near Jerusalem. However, Iraq declined, citing concerns over stadium conditions. FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) inspected the facility and approved it. Still, the match required Iraq’s consent, which was not granted.
The Palestine Football Association (PFA) expressed disappointment over Iraq’s decision. It stated that the rejection came without prior consultation. The PFA reaffirmed its commitment to hosting matches on home soil and emphasized the years of effort spent securing this right.
Iraq seeks a fair venue, stressing its support for Palestinian sports. However, the IFA cited the absence of VAR technology in the proposed stadium as a key reason for refusal. This decision adds another layer of complexity to an already competitive qualifying group.
FIFA and the AFC have yet to respond to Iraq’s request for an alternative location. Meanwhile, Palestine sits at the bottom of Group B with three points from six matches. Neither Palestine nor Jordan has ever qualified for a World Cup, while Iraq last appeared in 1986.
Iraq seeks a fair venue for this match, and the final decision could impact the qualification race. With the stakes high, the next move from FIFA and AFC remains crucial.
