Iraq’s World Cup play-off match… FIFA announces the date, place and competitor sports

Today, Friday, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced the schedule of the global qualifying playoff matches for the World Cup next March, where the teams of Iraq, Bolivia, and Suriname will play in Monterrey, while the teams of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, New Caledonia, and Jamaica will play in Guadalajara.

The six teams will compete for two places in the North American finals, and the Wadi El Hajar Stadium will host a semi-final match between New Caledonia and Jamaica, and the winner will qualify to meet the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Iraq World Cup playoff match

The BBVA Stadium in Monterrey will host Bolivia and Suriname in the second semi-final, with the winner qualifying to face Iraq.

The semi-final match will be held on March 26 at (2300 GMT), and Iraq will play the final match on April 1 at six in the morning Baghdad time (0300 GMT).

The single-match knockout system ensures exciting matches, as teams seek to reserve the last seats in the first 48-team World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada next year.

Local organizers said the global playoff matches will serve as key operational tests, and will help trial logistics, security and fan mobility plans with state and municipal authorities.

4 matches in the World Cup

Monterrey and Guadalajara will each host four World Cup matches from June 11 to July 19.

Pedro Esquivel, head of the organizing committee in Monterrey, said yesterday, Thursday, that the BBVA stadium is ready to host matches ahead of schedule after undergoing renovations, including a new floor and upgraded VIP cabins.

“If there is a match in January, we can host it without any problem,” he said.

He added, “We are working with local authorities to treat these matches as a trial for protocols and movement, and we are coordinating closely with FIFA, which is keen on the success of the event in Mexico.”