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Arab News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Arnold eager to steer Iraq to 2026 FIFA World Cup
BAGHDAD: Graham Arnold is confident he can help Iraq qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time in 40 years after he was appointed as the country's national coach on Friday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Asked whether Iraq can make the cut for the 2026 tournament which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the U.S., the Australian told the federation's website: "That's my goal. Graham Arnold conducted his first interview as Iraq Head Coach in Baghdad this afternoon. Read what our new boss had to say below — Iraq National Team (@IraqNT_EN) May 10, 2025 'That's what I want to do. I haven't come here to not be successful, and everyone in this room has to believe that. We can do it. Iraq's only appearance at the tournament was in 1986, when they were eliminated after the group phase. Arnold replaced Spaniard Jesus Casas whose contract was terminated by the local soccer governing body in the wake of a 2-1 loss to Palestine in March. That result left the Iraqis in third place in the standings in Group B, four points adrift of leaders South Korea and one behind Jordan with two games left. The top two nations in each of Asia's three qualifying groups advance automatically for the World Cup while the teams in third and fourth progress to another round of preliminaries. 'What is important is we all believe we can win the next two games, that is my first objective for Iraq,' he said. Arnold's first game in charge will be against South Korea in Basra on June 5. They then face Jordan in Amman five days later.
Al Jazeera
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Al Jazeera
Iraq look to former Australia coach Arnold to boost 2026 World Cup hopes
Former Australia manager Graham Arnold has been confirmed as the new head coach of Iraq by the country's football federation ahead of next month's World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Jordan. Arnold's appointment was announced on social media by the Iraq Football Association, which published photographs of the 61-year-old being welcomed in Baghdad by officials from the national body. 'We are delighted to announce Graham Arnold as the new head coach of the Iraq national team,' the federation said in a post on Instagram. 'Welcome to the Lions of Mesopotamia!' Arnold replaces Jesus Casas at the helm after the Spaniard's departure in the wake of a 2-1 loss to Palestine in March during the third round of Asia's qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. That result left the Iraqis in third place in the standings in Group B, four points adrift of leaders South Korea and one behind the top two finishers in each of Asia's three qualifying groups advance automatically to the World Cup, while the teams in third and fourth place progress to another round of preliminaries. Arnold's first game in charge will be in Basra on June 5 against the South Koreans before he takes his new team to Amman to face Jordan five days later. Iraq are attempting to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. The appointment sees Arnold return to international management more than seven months after standing down as Australia's head coach. Arnold, who led the Australians to the knockout rounds of the 2022 World Cup during a six-year spell in charge, quit after an uninspired start to the current phase of qualifying when his side lost to Bahrain and drew with Indonesia in September. He was replaced by Tony Popovic, the former Western Sydney Wanderers coach who has taken the Socceroos to second place in Group C of Asia's qualifiers ahead of games against already qualified Japan and Saudi Arabia in June.
News.com.au
10-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ex-Socceroos boss Graham Arnold given task of securing FIFA World Cup qualification for Iraq
Graham Arnold's appointment as Iraq coach has been confirmed, with the ex-Socceroos mentor's staff to include a former A-League coach and a member of Australia's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad. Arnold has arrived in Baghdad to start the task of preparing Iraq for World Cup qualifiers next month against South Korea and Jordan. The 61-year-old Arnold – who has taken over from sacked Spaniard Jesus Casas – resigned as Socceroos coach in September last year after having been in role since 2018. He guided Australia to the 2022 World Cup, where the Socceroos reached the round-of-16 before being knocked out by eventual champions Argentina. Iraq is currently in third place in Group B in third round of AFC World Cup qualifiers. Welcome to Baghdad âœ'ï¸� Our new Australian head coach Graham Arnold has arrived in the Iraqi capital! 🛬 — Iraq National Team (@IraqNT_EN) May 9, 2025 The Iraqis are a point behind second-placed Jordan and four points adrift of group leaders South Korea. The top two nations from each of the three third-round groups will qualify for next year's World Cup. A fourth round of AFC World Cup qualifiers will involve the nations finishing third and fourth in each group. Arnold's coaching contract will be extended if he is successful in securing World Cup qualification for Iraq. His coaching staff is set to include his former Socceroos assistant Rene Meulensteen, as well as ex-Newcastle Jets coach Robbie Stanton and former Socceroos goalkeeper Zejlko Kalac, who was part of Australia's 2006 World Cup squad.
Asharq Al-Awsat
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iraq Hires Former Australia Boss Graham Arnold as Head Coach
Iraq hired former Australia boss Graham Arnold as head coach of its national team on Friday. Arnold quit as coach of Australia in September after six years in charge during which he took the Socceroos to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup, where they lost to eventual winner Argentina. Iraq is third in Group B of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and Arnold will start with two crucial games against leader South Korea in Basra on June 5 and second-place Jordan in Amman five days later. Six points from these two matches would seal Iraq's place at the tournament for the first time since its 1986 debut.
Free Malaysia Today
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Iraq confirm appointment of former Socceroos boss Arnold
Graham Arnold led Australia to the knockout rounds of the 2022 World Cup. (AP pic) BAGHDAD : Former Australia boss Graham Arnold has been confirmed as the new head coach of Iraq by the country's football federation ahead of next month's World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Jordan. Arnold's appointment was announced on social media yesterday by the Iraq Football Association, which published photographs of the 61-year-old being welcomed in Baghdad by officials from the national body. 'We are delighted to announce Graham Arnold as the new head coach of the Iraq national team,' the federation said in a post on Instagram. 'Welcome to the Lions of Mesopotamia!' Arnold replaces Jesus Casas at the helm after the Spaniard's departure in the wake of a 2-1 loss to Palestine in March during the third round of Asia's qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. That result left the Iraqis in third place in the standings in Group B, four points adrift of leaders South Korea and one behind the Jordanians. The first two finishers in each of Asia's three qualifying groups advance automatically for the World Cup while the teams in third and fourth progress to another round of preliminaries. Arnold's first game in charge will be in Basra on June 5 against the Koreans before he takes his new team to Amman to face Jordan five days later. Iraq are attempting to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. The appointment sees Arnold return to international management more than seven months after standing down as Australia head coach. Arnold, who led the Australians to the knockout rounds of the 2022 World Cup during a six-year spell in charge, quit after an uninspired start to the current phase of qualifying when his side lost to Bahrain and drew with Indonesia in September. He was replaced by Tony Popovic, the former Western Sydney Wanderers coach who has taken the Socceroos to second place in Group C of Asia's qualifiers ahead of games against Japan and Saudi Arabia in June. Witness football history in Malaysia as Manchester United take on the Asean All-Stars – it's the clash you can't afford to miss. Book your seat now at before they're gone!
