Iraq's players cannot get visas for the World Cup playoff tournament in Mexico and the team's coach is stranded in the UAE amid the Iran war.

Two teams are likely options to replace Iran in case they do pull out from the 2026 World Cup.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun granting visas to players from Iraq’s national team ahead of the World Cup intercontinental qualifier scheduled March 31 in Monterrey.

The planned slate of qualifying games included Iraq-Jordan, Iran-Syria, Lebanon-India and Qatar-Saudi Arabia. Borja B. Hojas / Getty Images FIBA postponed four 2027 World Cup qualifying games that ...

Explaining the possible fallout if Iran were not to take up their place at the tournament this summer — and who could replace them ...