No Iraq at 2010 World Cup

Iraq will definitely not make an appearance at the 2010 World Cup. Their chances were slim, but did exist as long as FIFA hadn’t replied to an appeal concerning their qualifier with Qatar in March.

Qatar fielded Brazilian-born Emerson in their first of two matches with Iraq. It turned out however, that the player had already represented the Brazilian U-20 team using the name of Marcio Passos De Albuquerque.

Since this is against FIFA regulations, Iraq tried their luck and filed an appeal against the result of that match, a 2-0 defeat.

But the world governing body on Monday announced that it will not be treating the issue, as Iraq paid the required fee eleven days too late.

The second game was lost 0-1, allowing Qatar to advance to the next round.