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Iraq Begs FIFA to Help as Players Stranded Ahead of World Cup Playoff

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One nation’s hopes of reaching the World Cup finals for the first time in 40 years have been placed in serious doubt amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. A request has been made to FIFA to postpone the country’s upcoming playoff tie.

The 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, has already been shrouded in controversy due to Donald Trump’s actions and cartel-related violence in Mexico. The latest issue with this summer’s international competition has been the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.

The latter have already qualified for the tournament, but are now seen as ‘unlikely’ participants after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, which then retaliated with strikes of their own in Middle Eastern countries. Now, Iraq are uncertain of their chances to qualify for their first World Cup since 1986.

FIFA Asked to Step in Amid World Cup Playoff Drama

FIFA president Gianni Infantino
FIFA president Gianni Infantino

Iraq have pleaded with the governing body of world football to step in and postpone the clash until a later date. The Middle Eastern nation is scheduled to play against either Bolivia or Suriname on March 31 in Mexico.

However, they are currently struggling to obtain visas for their players, while confirming the team’s manager, Graham Arnold, is struggling to leave the UAE due to airspace closures. The Iraqi football federation said in a statement: “Because of airspace closures, our head coach, Graham Arnold, is unable to leave the United Arab Emirates.

Donald Trump Reacts to Iran Women's Team Facing Death Penalty


Donald Trump Gives Strong Reaction as Iran Women’s Team Face Death Penalty

Iran women’s football team face a worrying fate if they return from the Asian Cup in Australia, and the US President has had his say.

“In addition, several embassies remain closed at the present time, preventing several professional players, technical and medical staff members from obtaining entry visas to Mexico.”

Arnold, who took charge of the Iraq national team in May 2025 after guiding Australia to the 2022 World Cup, also pleaded with FIFA to help them out. The 62-year-old confirmed issues getting his players out of Iraq, while stating it would be ‘unacceptable’ to field a weakened team (per GB News):

“Please help us with this game because right now we are struggling to get our players out of the country of Iraq.

“It wouldn’t be our best team and we need our best team for the country’s biggest game in 40 years. The Iraqi people are so passionate about the game that it is insane. The fact that they haven’t qualified for 40 years is probably the main reason I took this job.”

Iraq Rejected FIFA’s Alternative Travel Plan

Iraq National Team

The country’s federation has claimed they are in ‘constant communication with FIFA regarding the arrangements for our national team’s participation’. Visas could still be obtained through the Mexican embassy in the UAE, with discussions ongoing.

FIFA originally suggested a gruelling 25-hour trek through northern Iraq, with players making an overland journey from Baghdad to Istanbul. However, Arnold refused this proposal as it would require going through regions that have been targeted by Iranian missiles.

Instead, he has come up with a different plan, saying the game should be delayed: “In my opinion, if FIFA were to delay the game, it gives us time to prepare properly. Let Bolivia play Suriname this month and then a week before the World Cup, we play the winner in the US – the winner of that game stays on and the loser goes home.”

Should they fail to qualify via a playoff match, Iraq have been put forward as a potential replacement for Iran if they are forced to withdraw from the World Cup. That provides a second possible route to a historical qualification.

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Arsenal Lower Asking Price For Gabriel Jesus

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Arsenal are set for a more considered approach to their summer transfer business than some of their rivals, with minor tweaks expected to the squad over the coming weeks on the market.

Given the strength in depth in the Gunners’ ranks, any moves in are likely to come after exits, with a key goal for Andrea Berta likely to be the improvement of fees accrued via sales.

Several stars have been linked with deals elsewhere, with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli attracting interest from clubs away from the Premier League.

However, there is also the possibility of an exit for Gabriel Jesus this summer.

Arsenal Lower Gabriel Jesus Asking Price

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus and Arsenal's Kai Havertz

One player who Arsenal are open to an exit for is Gabriel Jesus, as the Brazilian enters the final year under contract at the Emirates Stadium.

The forward has struggled for form and fitness over recent seasons, making 27 appearances last season with six goals and two assists to his name across all competitions.

Given his struggles in getting back to top form, Arsenal could sanction a sale, as Caught Offside reports that the Gunners have lowered their asking price for the forward.

It’s claimed that the Gunners are now willing to listen to offers in the range of £20 million to £25 million to let the 29-year-old leave this summer.

The club had initially set a valuation of £30 million for Jesus, who was previously linked with a move to Serie A as well as a return to Brazil with Palmeiras.

However, a sale at that price point isn’t seemingly possible, and now Arsenal are keen to lower that valuation in an effort to get a deal done.

Jesus is believed to be among the top-earners at the club, earning around £265,000-a-week, and an exit could help save some money on the club’s books.

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Arsenal May Want Versatile Replacement

Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta
via Reuters

An exit for Jesus may come at a fitting point, given that his arrival signalled Arsenal’s first real push to win the Premier League, and his exit comes with a winners’ medal in hand.

His initial signing brought plenty of quality, a mixture of physicality and technical brilliance that left opposition defenders on tenterhooks when trying to face off with him.

The injuries have started to pile up and that spark has now seemingly gone, so an exit in the final year of his deal could be wise to help recoup some money towards another key signing.


Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates Champions League win against Atletico Madrid


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Arsenal have been linked with a move for a midfielder this summer, as they look to improve their options in the centre of the pitch.

A similarly versatile option could be desired, someone who is capable of playing as a centre-forward behind Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, but can also receive minutes out wide.

Transfer target Christos Tzolis can certainly provide some of that, largely featuring on the left wing with an ability to play as a centre-forward.

However, it remains to be seen whether a different marquee arrival could replace Jesus this summer.

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Tottenham Transfer Strategy As We Know It Is Officially Over

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Roberto De Zerbi has already made a huge difference to Tottenham Hotspur on the pitch and now he is working his magic off the pitch in the summer transfer window.

The Italian arrived in north London at the end of March following a dreadful interim spell in charge of the club by Igor Tudor. The Lilywhites were in a perilous situation, staring down the barrel of a first relegation to the second tier in nearly 50 years.

But he turned the club’s fortunes around and a 1-0 win over Everton on the final day of the season secured their Premier League status.

Four new signings have already arrived at Tottenham

Jan Paul Van Hecke
Jan Paul Van Hecke

And that has allowed them to delve into the transfer market and make changes to an ailing squad to give De Zerbi what he requires to push the club back towards the top of the table once more.

Four signings have already been made – three of them free transfers – with Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka and Jan Paul van Hecke all arriving in N17.

Spurs have had a £75million bid for Sandro Tonali knocked back by Newcastle and are in talks over an £85million move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

It’s clear with De Zerbi at the helm and the Lewis family vowing to invest in the squad, a new approach has come to light at Spurs.

Tottenham securing either or even both of Fernandes and Tonali would see them break their transfer record, which stands at £65million paid to Bournemouth for Dominic Solanke two years ago.

England World Cup Quiz

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Talk of breaking transfer records has barely happened in the white half of north London over the past decade and here we are speaking about it potentially happening not once, but twice.

And we haven’t even got to rumours around striker signings yet, the closest we have come being wide forwards like Savinho and more recently Crysencio Summerville.

Spurs have changed their approach under their new head coach

Roberto De Zerbi clapping the Tottenham fans

What do all the names above linked with a move to Spurs have in common? They are readymade, Premier League-experienced players. It is a win-now approach from De Zerbi that the owners appear to be getting behind.

Under former chairman Daniel Levy, Spurs would often be slow and meticulous in the market, with Levy known as a tough negotiator, someone who would always eke out the very best deal for his club. That would often come at the detriment of the squad, with transfers left to the very last moment, or even too late to get done.

Ignoring the free transfers, Spurs splashed out £52million on van Hecke from Brighton and after two failed bids, got the deal done. They saw the player they wanted, they haggled over price for a short time, but relatively quickly signed their man. Spurs know what they want and are going after it. It is a refreshing approach.

Spurs have been stuck in what has felt like an endless loop of transition, building for the future. Under De Zerbi, the Lilywhites are building for the here and now. It is a new approach and it remains to be seen if it is successful, but the old Tottenham in the transfer market is dead.


Roberto De Zerbi


Tottenham Could Sign Their Own Declan Rice as Club Lines Up Third Midfield Signing

Tottenham are continuing to assess midfield options this summer, and could land a star compared to Declan Rice.

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Lewis Hall Wants to Join Man Utd and Play in the Champions League

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Manchester United have received a fresh summer transfer window boost with the news that an England international star wants to join them this summer, according to the Sun.

Man United sprung into action immediately after the end of the Premier League season and quickly agreed a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta, as they look to transform their central midfield ahead of next term when they return to the Champions League.

The Red Devils may have expected to get another midfielder through the door by now, but business has been complicated by the 2026 World Cup and the valuations being set by clubs for their targets.

A move for their top summer target Elliot Anderson proved inhibitive, with Manchester City agreeing a huge £116m deal to sign the Nottingham Forest star.

United turned their attention to West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes, who they would have hoped to land for a reasonable fee after the Irons were relegated to the Championship.

However, the Irons are in no mood to sell their prized asset on the cheap, and they are demanding a fee of between £80-85m to begin concrete talks over a sale.

United are considering strengthening other positions too, including on the left-hand side.

Lewis Hall Wants to Join Man United

lewis hall england via Reuters

According to the Sun, one of the other positions they could bolster in this summer transfer window is left-back.

Luke Shaw started all 38 of United’s Premier League matches last term having suffered from injury issues previously, but there is little quality and depth behind him in that position, especially if the Red Devils decide to use Patrick Dorgu further forward on a full-time basis.

The increased workload of a Champions League campaign could increase Shaw’s risk of injury too, with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall one player they have been looking at.

The Sun report that the £70m-rated Englishman is keen to join United and play for them in the Champions League, especially after believing that Eddie Howe cost him his place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad this summer, after how he was managed during Newcastle’s run-in last term.

Newcastle have already sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and at a time when Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Tino Livramento are all being linked with exits, they must try and keep hold of some of those players, including Hall.

The Magpies are said to be loath to sell the full-back to United in particular, given he has three years remaining on his contract.

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United Identify Fernandes Alternatives

West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring Premier League goal against Sunderland via Reuters

Not only are United being put off by West Ham’s high valuation of Fernandes, but the emergence of Tottenham Hotspur in the race for the 21-year-old has made things even more difficult.

Should the Red Devils fail to land the Portuguese star, they do have other targets on their radar this summer, with Premier League experience.

Two of those, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, are Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba and Alex Scott of Bournemouth, while Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni remains Michael Carrick’s ‘dream’ target.

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