VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Wednesday that defender Ali Adnan has been called up to the Iraq men’s national team for a pair of friendlies and three FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
“Due to Ali’s unique situation and our upcoming break, we all agreed now was the right time for him to join his national team,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director and CEO. “We’ve connected with the appropriate authorities and this will not impact the US visa process.”
The camp will be held in Basra, Iraq and includes two friendly matches against Tajikistan on May 24, and Nepal on May 29.
After the camp, the team will travel to Bahrain, Qatar to take part in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with matches against Group C opponents Cambodia on June 7, Hong Kong on June 11, and Iran on June 15.
Adnan, who is training in Vancouver with the club’s BMO Academy U-23 & U-19 group while awaiting his US visa approval before joining the team in Utah, will depart for camp on May 15. He has 59 caps for his national team, including six goals.
Iraq currently sit atop Group C with 11 points and remain undefeated in World Cup qualifying. The competition also serves as the second round of 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification.
