Tehran: Iraq's national football team is trying to arrange a friendly match early next year in preparation for the two crucial World Cup Asian zone qualifiers.

The Iraqi soccer federation wants to arrange a match with Iran on March 18 as head coach Radhi Shenaishil is preparing his team against Australia and Saudi Arabia scheduled for March 23 and 28 respectively in Group B of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification, Xinhua quoted a report from Tasnim news agency on Tuesday.

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Iran will play Qatar and China on March 23 and 28 respectively in the qualification.