Iraq have appointed former Australia manager Graham Arnold as head coach ahead of crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Jordan.
Graham Arnold has been named the new head coach of the Iraq national football team, the country’s football federation confirmed on Saturday. The 61-year-old Australian replaces Jesus Casas, who was dismissed following Iraq’s 2-1 defeat to Palestine in March.
The Iraq Football Association announced Arnold's appointment on Instagram, sharing photos of his arrival in Baghdad and writing, “We are delighted to announce Graham Arnold as the new head coach of the Iraq national team. Welcome to the Lions of Mesopotamia!”
Arnold takes over at a pivotal moment, with Iraq sitting third in Group B of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They trail group leaders South Korea by four points and second-placed Jordan by one.
Only the top two teams in each of Asia’s three qualifying groups will earn automatic spots at the World Cup. Teams finishing third and fourth will have to compete in an additional round of qualifiers.
Arnold’s first match in charge will be on June 5 against South Korea in Basra, followed by an away match in Amman against Jordan on June 10. Iraq are aiming to qualify for their first World Cup since 1986.
This marks a return to international management for Arnold, who led Australia to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup. He stepped down in late 2024 after a poor start to the new qualifying cycle, which included a loss to Bahrain and a draw with Indonesia.
Tony Popovic succeeded Arnold as Australia’s head coach and has guided the Socceroos to second place in Group C, trailing only Japan.
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A chorus of condemnation emerged from Latin America on Sunday as leaders from Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Bolivia denounced the United States for its recent airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Global investors are bracing for significant market turmoil when trading reopens, with analysts predicting a sharp spike in oil prices and a flight to safe-haven assets following the United States' announcement of military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran’s top diplomat on Sunday issued a stark condemnation of the United States following overnight military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, declaring that Washington had crossed a "very big red line" and would be held "fully responsible" for the consequences.
A chorus of condemnation emerged from Latin America on Sunday as leaders from Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Bolivia denounced the United States for its recent airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
The United States' military strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities Sunday triggered sharply divided reactions from the international community, with Israel lauding the move as a historic decision while Iran, the United Nations, and numerous other nations condemned the attack.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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Global investors are bracing for significant market turmoil when trading reopens, with analysts predicting a sharp spike in oil prices and a flight to safe-haven assets following the United States' announcement of military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities.
A chorus of condemnation emerged from Latin America on Sunday as leaders from Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Bolivia denounced the United States for its recent airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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Global investors are bracing for significant market turmoil when trading reopens, with analysts predicting a sharp spike in oil prices and a flight to safe-haven assets following the United States' announcement of military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran’s top diplomat on Sunday issued a stark condemnation of the United States following overnight military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, declaring that Washington had crossed a "very big red line" and would be held "fully responsible" for the consequences.
A chorus of condemnation emerged from Latin America on Sunday as leaders from Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Bolivia denounced the United States for its recent airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
The United States' military strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities Sunday triggered sharply divided reactions from the international community, with Israel lauding the move as a historic decision while Iran, the United Nations, and numerous other nations condemned the attack.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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