The diplomatic bureaucracy steps up… when the ball is involved
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) announced this Monday that it has already begun to issue visas to the players of the Iraqi soccer team. The team needs to travel to Monterrey for a playoff match on March 31, with a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup at stake.
And how are they achieving it? With a consular operation that sounds more complex than a rehearsed move.
A procedure with a stopover in the Middle East
Iraq’s airspace remains closed due to the conflict in the region. Despite this – the Foreign Ministry tells us with a certain air of self-aggrandizement – the Mexican authorities have “supported all the requests.”
The management has been from three different embassies. On Sunday, some players were documented at the embassy in Saudi Arabia. Tomorrow, Tuesday, it is the turn at the diplomatic headquarters in Qatar.
“Since becoming aware of the visa applications, the Mexican Embassy in the United Arab Emirates has been in communication with the directors of the Iraq Football Federation and the team’s own coach, Graham Arnold,” detailed the SRE.
They haven’t just stayed there. They have also spoken with FIFA, with the Mexican Football Federation and even with the charge d’affaires of the Iraqi Embassy here in Mexico.
All to “reiterate the offer of support and provide all the necessary attention.” Sounds good, right? Almost as if this is standard procedure for anyone who needs an urgent visa.
The truth is that the players and their coaching staff already know the “immigration facilities” they have to enter the country. And in case anyone is missing any paper:
“The provision is reiterated… to facilitate obtaining the documents that may still be required,” the agency concluded.
Now we just have to wait and see if all this diplomatic deployment translates into a full team in the field on the last day of the month. The match is not just anything: it defines who goes to the World Cup.




