FIFA Orders New Elections for Iraqi Football Federation, Sets Date

The International Football Federation (FIFA) has officially announced the necessity of redoing the elections for the Iraqi Football Federation due to legal violations, lack of transparency, and non-compliance with FIFA regulations and applicable football laws.

The Iraqi Federation stated in a release that FIFA's official letter demands a complete re-run of the election process on May 23, 2026, ensuring alignment with international regulations, with a copy sent to the Asian Football Confederation.

Issues Identified by the Investigation Commission

A joint delegation from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation uncovered several issues during their visit to Baghdad in late September, including:
Inadequate vetting of candidates for the elections.
Conflicts of interest, such as the chair of the appeals committee also leading a club.
Lack of independence in the election processes of the election and appeals committee members.
Candidacies from individuals not meeting the minimum age requirements, rendering their nominations incompatible with regulations.

Need for Election Repetition

In light of these violations, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation stressed the importance of conducting a complete re-election process to ensure full compliance with the Iraqi Federation's statutes and electoral laws.
The Iraqi Federation indicated that FIFA has developed a roadmap and timeline for the election repeat to ensure it is conducted legally and transparently.

Continuation of Current Board's Duties

It is noteworthy that the current board of the Iraqi Football Federation has exceeded its legally mandated four-year term; however, it will continue to fulfill its administrative responsibilities to maintain the federation's operations while refraining from decisions beyond administrative matters.

Iraqi National Team and World Cup Qualification

Simultaneously, the Iraqi national team is preparing for an intercontinental playoff against the winner of the match between Bolivia and Suriname next March. A victory would secure their official qualification for the 2026 World Cup in June and July.