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Iraqi News
a day ago
- General
- Iraqi News
Iraqi national team will wear white to face Korea tomorrow
Baghdad – INA Our national team will wear white tomorrow, Thursday, to face South Korea in the decisive qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The Iraqi Football Association said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The technical conference for the match between our national team and its South Korean counterpart was held at the Movenpick Hotel in Basra on Wednesday, in the presence of the match supervisor, the referee evaluator, the match media coordinator, and representatives of both teams." He added, "The preparations were reviewed. Our national team will wear white, with the goalkeeper wearing yellow, while the South Korean team will wear red, with its goalkeeper wearing green." He added, "The match will take place at 9:15 PM at Basra International Stadium."
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
AFC Asian Cup qualifiers — Former Australia manager Graham Arnold set to become Iraq coach
Former Australia boss Graham Arnold will be presented as the new Iraq coach this weekend ahead of next month's crunch World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Jordan, a senior member of the Iraqi Football Association said on Thursday. Ahmed Al-Mousawi, the IFA official responsible for negotiating the contract of the previous coach Jesus Casas, told the Iraqi News Agency that the deal was almost done. 'Graham's contract details are almost finalised and will be announced officially upon his arrival,' he said. 'Arnold will bring with him a fully integrated technical staff of seven coaches, including an internationally renowned assistant who has previously worked with an English Premier League club.' Arnold led the Socceroos to the round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2022, where they lost a close game to eventual champion Argentina, but quit last September after a poor start to the third round of qualifiers for the 2026 finals. 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 (𝐌𝐞𝐧) 𝐍𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐬 🇦🇺 Graham Arnold 🇯🇵 Go Oiwa 🇰🇷 Hwang Sun-hong The men who pulled the strings for Asia's best sides from the touchline with their tactical and game-management prowess! # — AFC (@theafcdotcom) October 15, 2024 The 61-year-old replaces Spaniard Casas, who was sacked just over halfway through his four-year contract in March after a 2-1 loss to Palestine in Jordan. The defeat left Iraq third in Asian Group B, a point adrift of a top-two spot and the automatic ticket to the finals in North America that goes with it. Iraq host group leaders South Korea in Basra on June 5 and second-placed Jordan in Amman five days later. Third and fourth place in the group offer a path to the finals through a fourth stage of Asian qualifying. 'The coach will meet with the players very shortly, as he will give the Iraqi Federation the full opportunity to set up a training camp in Basra Governorate, in preparation for the match against the South Korean national team, followed by another match against the Jordanian national team,' Al-Mousawi added. The Iraqis have appeared at only one edition of the World Cup finals in Mexico in 1986, when they lost all three games to go out in the group stage.
Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Former Australia boss Arnold set to be appointed Iraq coach
Former Australia boss Graham Arnold will be presented as the new Iraq coach this weekend ahead of next month's crunch World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Jordan, a senior member of the Iraqi Football Association said on Thursday. Ahmed Al-Mousawi, the IFA official responsible for negotiating the contract of the previous coach Jesus Casas, told the Iraqi News Agency that the deal was almost done. "Graham's contract details are almost finalised and will be announced officially upon his arrival," he said. "Arnold will bring with him a fully integrated technical staff of seven coaches, including an internationally renowned assistant who has previously worked with an English Premier League club." Arnold led the Socceroos to the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, where they lost a close game to eventual champions Argentina, but quit last September after a poor start to the third round of qualifiers for the 2026 finals. The 61-year-old replaces Spaniard Casas, who was sacked just over halfway through his four-year contract in March after a 2-1 loss to Palestine in Jordan. The defeat left Iraq third in Asian Group B, a point adrift of a top-two spot and the automatic ticket to the finals in North America that goes with it. Iraq host group leaders South Korea in Basra on June 5 and second-placed Jordan in Amman five days later. Third and fourth place in the group offer a path to the finals through a fourth stage of Asian qualifying. "The coach will meet with the players very shortly, as he will give the Iraqi Federation the full opportunity to set up a training camp in Basra Governorate, in preparation for the match against the South Korean national team, followed by another match against the Jordanian national team," Al-Mousawi added. The Iraqis have appeared at only one edition of the World Cup finals in Mexico in 1986, when they lost all three games to go out in the group stage. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Former Australia boss Arnold set to be appointed Iraq coach
May 8 - Former Australia boss Graham Arnold will be presented as the new Iraq coach this weekend ahead of next month's crunch World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Jordan, a senior member of the Iraqi Football Association said on Thursday. Ahmed Al-Mousawi, the IFA official responsible for negotiating the contract of the previous coach Jesus Casas, told the Iraqi News Agency that the deal was almost done. "Graham's contract details are almost finalised and will be announced officially upon his arrival," he said. "Arnold will bring with him a fully integrated technical staff of seven coaches, including an internationally renowned assistant who has previously worked with an English Premier League club." Arnold led the Socceroos to the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, where they lost a close game to eventual champions Argentina, but quit last September after a poor start to the third round of qualifiers for the 2026 finals. The 61-year-old replaces Spaniard Casas, who was sacked just over halfway through his four-year contract in March after a 2-1 loss to Palestine in Jordan. The defeat left Iraq third in Asian Group B, a point adrift of a top-two spot and the automatic ticket to the finals in North America that goes with it. Iraq host group leaders South Korea in Basra on June 5 and second-placed Jordan in Amman five days later. Third and fourth place in the group offer a path to the finals through a fourth stage of Asian qualifying. "The coach will meet with the players very shortly, as he will give the Iraqi Federation the full opportunity to set up a training camp in Basra Governorate, in preparation for the match against the South Korean national team, followed by another match against the Jordanian national team," Al-Mousawi added. The Iraqis have appeared at only one edition of the World Cup finals in Mexico in 1986, when they lost all three games to go out in the group stage.
Shafaq News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Shafaq News
Arnold takes charge: Iraq taps veteran coach for World Cup push
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Football Association has appointed veteran Australian coach Graham Arnold to lead the national team into decisive 2026 World Cup qualifiers, replacing Spaniard Jesús Casas just weeks before must-win matches against South Korea and Jordan. Arnold, 61, brings extensive experience at both international and club level. He guided Australia to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup and concluded his six-year tenure in 2024 with a record 43 victories—the most by any Socceroos head coach. The IFA's selection committee, chaired by President Adnan Dirjal and including former national team star Younis Mahmoud, unanimously endorsed Arnold after reviewing several candidates. The committee highlighted his strategic discipline and success in high-stakes competition as decisive factors. 'His profile fits the moment—we need leadership under pressure, and Arnold offers that,' Mahmoud stated in the federation's official announcement. Arnold's career spans more than two decades, including title-winning spells with Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners in Australia's A-League. As a player, he earned 54 caps for Australia and featured in leagues in the Netherlands and Japan. 'Iraq has the quality to compete on the global stage. I'm here to help realize that potential,' Arnold remarked in his first comments following the appointment. Iraq currently ranks third in Group B of the Asian qualifiers, trailing Jordan by one point and leaders South Korea by three. The top two teams advance directly to the 2026 World Cup, while third place leads to intercontinental playoffs. Arnold's first test will come against South Korea away, followed by a decisive home fixture against Jordan—matches that will determine Iraq's path to North America.
