The Iraqis are due to face either Suriname or Bolivia on March 31 in the Mexican city of Monterrey for a place in the World Cup finals, but with Iraqi airspace closed until April 1, Arnold's squad is unable to gather or travel.

The announcement came after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had spoken to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the Iran women's soccer team in Australia following reports that the players had requested asylum.

"Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and then two years later moved to MLS side Inter Miami.

No public reason was given for the players' original stance over the pre-game national anthem.

The two teams finished on seven points apiece in Group A with the Koreans topping the pool on goal difference.

Consecutive defeats have left both sides’ hopes hanging by a thread, but victory will give them a fighting chance to advance as one of the two best third-placed teams from the three groups. 

The champions restored their four-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid, who had temporarily closed the gap by beating Celta Vigo on Friday.

The Argentine superstar's 80th goal for Miami takes his career tally to 899, leaving him just one away from reaching the 900-goal milestone.

The one-sided romp left Japan top of Group C with a maximum six points having beaten Taiwan 2-0 to start their title bid.

Monaco handed French champions Paris St Germain their first home defeat of the Ligue 1 season with a 3-1 away victory at the Parc des Princes on Friday that opened up the championship race.

Federico Valverde's heavily deflected 95th-minute drive snatched injury-hit Real Madrid a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Friday.

Arne Slot admitted he was relieved that Liverpool's rollercoaster season left him with a good feeling for once after their 3-1 win at Wolves in the FA Cup fifth round on Friday.

The final of the first FIFA World Cup was not just a match—it was a nerve-wracking battle between two neighboring rivals: Uruguay and Argentina. Held at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, on July 30, 1930, that match remains etched in the annals of football history.

There is a difference between facing an established champion and confronting a wounded giant hungry to reclaim lost ground.

After going toe to toe against defending champions China in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 opener, Bangladesh are set to face another tournament favourites in North Korea in their second Group B match at the Western Sydney Stadium in Australia today, eyeing another bold showing.

South Korea cruised into the final eight with a dominant 3-0 win over an outmatched Philippines.

Michael Carrick said "defeat hurts" after Manchester United's 2-1 loss at Newcastle on Wednesday -- the first time he has been beaten as manager of the club.

The Iraqis are scheduled to play the winners of an earlier tie between Bolivia and Suriname in Monterrey on March 31 for a spot at the World Cup finals but are concerned they might not be able to get everyone to Mexico.

The Gunners have long been favourites to win their first English league crown since 2004 but Pep Guardiola's men have loomed large in their rear-view mirror.