Iraq look to former Australia coach Arnold to boost 2026 World Cup hopes

Iraq replaces Jesus Casas arsenic caput manager with erstwhile Australia brag Graham Arnold up of crunch World Cup qualifiers.

Former Australia manager Graham Arnold has been confirmed arsenic the caller caput manager of Iraq by the country’s shot federation up of adjacent month’s World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Jordan.

Arnold’s assignment was announced connected societal media by the Iraq Football Association, which published photographs of the 61-year-old being welcomed successful Baghdad by officials from the nationalist body.

“We are delighted to denote Graham Arnold arsenic the caller caput manager of the Iraq nationalist team,” the federation said successful a station connected Instagram. “Welcome to the Lions of Mesopotamia!”

Arnold replaces Jesus Casas astatine the helm aft the Spaniard’s departure successful the aftermath of a 2-1 nonaccomplishment to Palestine successful March during the 3rd circular of Asia’s qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

That effect near the Iraqis successful 3rd spot successful the standings successful Group B, 4 points adrift of leaders South Korea and 1 down the Jordanians.

Welcome to Baghdad ✔️

Our caller Australian caput manager Graham Arnold has arrived successful the Iraqi capital! 🛬 pic.twitter.com/AH1IybroHv

— Iraq National Team (@IraqNT_EN) May 9, 2025

The apical 2 finishers successful each of Asia’s 3 qualifying groups beforehand automatically to the World Cup, portion the teams successful 3rd and 4th spot advancement to different circular of preliminaries.

Arnold’s archetypal crippled successful complaint volition beryllium successful Basra connected June 5 against the South Koreans earlier helium takes his caller squad to Amman to look Jordan 5 days later. Iraq are attempting to suffice for the World Cup for the archetypal clip since 1986.

The assignment sees Arnold instrumentality to planetary absorption much than 7 months aft lasting down arsenic Australia’s caput coach.

Arnold, who led the Australians to the knockout rounds of the 2022 World Cup during a six-year spell successful charge, discontinue aft an uninspired commencement to the existent signifier of qualifying erstwhile his broadside mislaid to Bahrain and drew with Indonesia successful September.

He was replaced by Tony Popovic, the erstwhile Western Sydney Wanderers manager who has taken the Socceroos to 2nd spot successful Group C of Asia’s qualifiers up of games against already qualified Japan and Saudi Arabia successful June.

Source

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Al Jazeera and quality agencies