The Iraq national football team has declined to play Palestine in an upcoming World Cup qualifier, suggesting Amman, Jordan, as an alternative venue. The decision has sparked concerns regarding competition fairness as Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine are direct rivals in Group B. The Palestine Football Association expressed disappointment over Iraq’s refusal to play in Jerusalem under the current conditions.
The Iraq national football team has declined to play against Palestine in a World Cup qualifier scheduled for March 25, citing concerns about location and regulations. Palestine has been forced to host its matches at neutral sites since October 2019, with FIFA proposing Amman, Jordan, as the venue for this upcoming match, a suggestion that the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) contends violates FIFA’s rules for neutral venues.
The IFA expressed its concerns, stating that playing in Amman would compromise the integrity and fairness of the competition, especially given the competitive situation in Group B, where Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine are all direct rivals. Iraq currently ranks second in the group, with a narrow point gap between them and Jordan, making this match pivotal for World Cup qualification.
The Palestine Football Association (PFA) expressed disappointment at Iraq’s decision not to play at the Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium in Al-Ram, Jerusalem. The PFA indicated their surprise at Iraq’s unilateral decision to withdraw from the match, noting that FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had already deemed the stadium suitable for play, pending Iraqi agreement.
In response to the lack of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the stadium, the IFA stated that it seeks to support Palestinian football but cannot proceed under the current conditions. Meanwhile, Palestine holds the bottom position in Group B with only three points, while neither Palestine nor Jordan has qualified for a World Cup finals, and Iraq has a history of underperforming in past tournaments.
The refusal of the Iraq national football team to play Palestine in a World Cup qualifier raises important considerations regarding the competitive integrity and dynamics within Group B. The decision reflects broader issues regarding venue selection and regulatory compliance within FIFA. As the situation continues to develop, the stakes remain high for each participating nation as they vie for a place in the 2026 World Cup finals.
Original Source: www.flashscore.com
