Việt Nam could play a friendly match against Iraq in October. — Photo AFC

HÀ NỘI — In preparation for the resumption of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) wants to host a friendly match between its national team and Việt Nam.

The information was confirmed by the general secretary of the Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF), Lê Hoài Anh.

Anh said the IFA sent an invitation to the Vietnamese team to play the game on October 8.

A location for the match is yet to be agreed.

Anh said: “The IFA wants its national team to play in Việt Nam, but the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control has only allowed some foreigners to come to Việt Nam, so the VFF will continuously follow and update the latest information.

“The VFF must wait to get consent from the Government to be allowed to organise the international friendlies in Việt Nam.”

In early June, the Asian Football Confederation announced the return schedule of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. As the pandemic prevention situation has stabilised, many teams in Asia began planning to find friendly opponents to warm up.

The Iraqi media also recently revealed that the IFA has planned for the Iraqi team to play three friendly matches for the World Cup qualifiers.

The IFA sent an invitation to the VFF, right after Việt Nam received much praise from the international media for its efforts to bring back professional football.

The Iraqi team will play against Jordan on September 8, followed by a match against Syria on September 16

Earlier this year, Iraq was due to play Việt Nam, but the match had to be cancelled because of the pandemic.

Việt Nam’s next World Cup qualifier will be away against Malaysia on October 13 — VNS