Latest news with #LionsofMesopotamia
Iraqi News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Iraqi News
Iraq intensify World Cup qualifier preparations under Arnold
Basra ( – The Iraqi national football team, under new head coach Graham Arnold, is undergoing strict and intensive training in Basra as they gear up for two make-or-break 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. IFA member Ghalib Al-Zamili confirmed Arnold's focused approach on Friday (May 30, 2025). With 27 players currently in camp at Basra Sports City, Arnold is emphasizing optimal preparation and eliminating errors, expressing satisfaction with player morale and the training facilities. A crucial competitive training match is scheduled for tonight (Friday, 7:30 PM) at the main stadium, after which Arnold will finalize his squad, cutting at least four players. The Lions of Mesopotamia face South Korea in Basra on June 5th, followed by an away clash with Jordan on June 10th. Currently third in their qualifying group, Iraq critically needs to secure all six points from these final two encounters to guarantee direct qualification for the World Cup. Arnold has stressed the importance of mental focus for these high-stakes games as Iraq aims to book its ticket to the global showpiece.
Iraqi News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Iraqi News
Graham Arnold names preliminary Iraq squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers
Baghdad ( – Newly appointed Iraq national team head coach, Australian Graham Arnold, announced a preliminary 30-man squad on Thursday (May 22, 2025) for the upcoming decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifying matches. The announcement was made during a press conference at the Iraqi FA headquarters. The Lions of Mesopotamia face two crucial encounters in early June: away to South Korea on June 5th, followed by a clash with Jordan on June 10th. These matches are pivotal in Iraq's bid to qualify for the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The extensive preliminary squad includes experienced goalkeepers Jalal Hassan and Fahad Talib; defenders such as Merchas Doski, Hussein Ali, and Saad Natiq; midfielders Amir Al-Amari, Ali Jasim, and Ibrahim Bayesh; and forwards Aymen Hussein, Mohanad Ali, and Ali Al-Hammadi. The list blends established internationals with emerging talents. This squad selection marks one of Arnold's first major actions as he prepares the team for these high-stakes qualifiers, aiming to make a strong impact.
Dubai Eye
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
Iraq confirms appointment of former Socceroos boss Arnold
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 on Friday 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.
Ammon
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Ammon
Iraq confirm appointment of former Socceroos boss Arnold
Ammon News - 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 on Friday 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. Reuters
New Straits Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Iraq confirm appointment of former Socceroos boss Arnold
LONDON: 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 on Friday 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. - Reuters
