Jordan, a U.S. ally hosting American military forces, has faced repeated drone and missile attacks, which reports suggest are linked to Iranian operations, alongside broader economic challenges and regional instability. Despite these security risks, Jordanian officials have affirmed their commitment to the alliance, while King Abdullah II warned that current global and regional disruptions pose a broad threat to international stability.
Iraq taking private plane to Mexico for World Cup play-off
Summary
Iraq taking private plane to Mexico for World Cup play-off - Published Iraq will travel to Mexico by private plane for their World Cup play-off despite calls from coach Graham Arnold to postpone the match amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, the Iraqi Football Association's president says. Iraq are due to face either Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey on 31 March, with the winner of the inter-continental play-off booking their place at the 2026 World Cup. Airspace in the Middle East has been closed since 28 February when US-Israeli strikes began and Iran responded by firing missiles and drones at Israel, Gulf states and other nearby countries. But in a video statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency, Iraq FA chief Adnan Dirjal said he had written to Fifa to explain the "difficulty of the journey" and world football's governing body had been "co-operative". "[Fifa president Gianni] Infantino directed [Fifa secretary general] Mattias Grafstrom... to follow up and help overcome all difficulties to facilitate the departure of our national team to Mexico. "The national team will depart at the end of the week to Mexico via a private plane." Iran, the US, and a World Cup that starts in three months - Published1 March Trump 'does not care' if Iran play at World Cup - Published3 March Mexico to deploy 100,000 security personnel for World Cup - Published6 March Iraq beat the United Arab Emirates 3-2 on aggregate in the fifth round of the World Cup qualifiers in Asia last November to book their place in the inter-continental play-off. They are bidding to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. This year's tournament will be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada from 11 June. Dirjal also confirmed Iraq had secured entry visas to Mexico with Europe-based players joining separately. "My message to everyone: only 17 days remain, and we must focus and prepare for the match. We have one goal, which is qualifying for the World Cup," Dirjal said. "Therefore, our focus in the Iraqi Football Association and the coaching staff is on providing all the appropriate conditions for the players to focus on this match and achieve the dream of the Iraqi fans."
Actors involved
Sources
See this event through different lenses
Compare how Western, Iranian, Israeli, Global South, and Pro-Peace perspectives frame this event.
Compare PerspectivesCommunity Notes
Community Notes
Loading notes...
Related events
Oil prices rose this week as conflict intensified in the six-month war, with Iran reportedly maintaining control of the Strait of Hormuz while the US presses a counter-blockade of Iranian ports. Iranian authorities claimed to have targeted US military assets in Kuwait and the UAE, though Kuwait confirmed intercepting a missile and drone attack on its air base, while the UAE reported no evidence of an attack on its own facilities.
These exchanges followed Iran’s attribution of a deadly wedding strike in Kuhestak to the US, a claim US Vice President JD Vance stated is currently under investigation but disputed by Washington.
Live updatesLive updates, Iran war live: US rules out Iran talks until ship attacks stop Iranian Minister of Petroleum Mohsen Paknejad says that the country’s oil industry continues to “circumvent” the blockade imposed by US forces, describing the situation as difficult but manageable.
Published On 4 Sep 2026 - US Vice President JD Vance says all options remain on the table against Iran and rules out talks unless Tehran halts commercial shipping attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. - Iran’s first vice president says the US has changed Tehran’s calculations, warning its response to US attacks will be “asymmetrical” and “multi-layered”.
U.S. officials state that Central Command is conducting an internal review following Iranian reports of five deaths and 67 injuries at a wedding venue during Tuesday's strikes, although it remains unconfirmed that the incident resulted from a U.S. attack.
While CENTCOM emphasizes that it does not target civilians and notes that initial reports originated from Iranian state media, Vice President JD Vance confirmed the military is investigating the claims to verify the circumstances.