Iraqi media have revealed the identity of the new Iraqi national team coach, succeeding the dismissed Spaniard Jesus Casas.
Hussein Ammouta was the leading candidate for the position, but the Iraqi Football Association, headed by Adnan Dirjal, failed to reach an agreement with the Moroccan coach, and negotiations began with other names.
According to recent reports, the Iraqi Football Association has reached an agreement with Graham Arnold, the former Australian coach, to lead the Lions of Mesopotamia on a contract extending through the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
Arnold is so motivated and excited about this experience that he decided to move to Iraq on his own initiative, despite warnings from the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs against its citizens traveling to Iraq despite the significant improvement in the security situation there in recent months.
The 61-year-old coach’s contract will be based on a monthly salary, unlike Casas’ previous contract. The Iraqi Football Association will also have the opportunity to dismiss him at any time without paying any penalty clauses if he fails to lead the Lions of Mesopotamia to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Arnold was assistant coach of the Australian national team from 2000 to 2006, then took over temporarily until 2007, after which he returned as assistant to coach Pim Verbeek until 2009.
He then embarked on a solo career as coach of several Australian clubs, winning the A-League title with Sydney FC and Central Coast Marines, and the FA Cup with Sydney FC.
In 2018, he took over the coaching of both the Australian and Olympic national teams, leading the senior team in 56 matches, winning 36, drawing 7, and losing 13. He led the Kangaroos to the last 16 of the last World Cup, where they narrowly lost to Argentina.
Iraq’s chances of qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup from the third round of qualifying remain intact, provided they win their final two matches against South Korea and Jordan, scheduled for early June.
