‘A lot of sleepless nights’: Why the war in Iran might cost Iraq a berth in the 2026 World Cup

CNN By Don Riddell, CNN (CNN) — Iraq’s men’s national soccer team is just 90 minutes away from qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 40 years – in theory. Events far beyond the team’s control have reinforced the adage that the last mile is often the hardest. On March 31,