Graham Arnold Appointed Iraq Coach Amid World Cup Crisis Shakeup

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — In a dramatic shakeup of its national football leadership, Iraq has appointed former Australia head coach Graham Arnold to lead the team in its bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a pivotal moment after months of mounting pressure, internal dissent, and disappointing performances under outgoing coach Jesús Casas.

According to the official announcement on Friday, Arnold—who guided Australia to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar—has taken over the reins from Casas, who was dismissed following Iraq’s shock 2–1 defeat to Palestine in Amman, their first-ever World Cup qualifying loss to the team.

Arnold's appointment comes just weeks ahead of two do-or-die qualifiers that will determine Iraq's fate: a home match against South Korea in Basra on June 5 and an away clash with Jordan in Amman on June 10.

Arnold, who resigned as Australia’s manager in September 2024 after a six-year tenure, brings both pedigree and pressure. Under his leadership, the Socceroos earned global respect for their performance in the 2022 tournament, where they were narrowly defeated by eventual champions Argentina.

Now, Iraq will look to channel that same resilience and tactical discipline in what may be the country’s final shot at returning to the World Cup stage for the first time since 1986.

The appointment follows a wave of public and institutional criticism directed at both former coach Casas and Iraq Football Association (IFA) President Adnan Dirjal. As reported by The New Arab on March 26, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani faced growing calls to dismiss both men in the wake of the team’s back-to-back setbacks against Kuwait and Palestine, results that left Iraq languishing in third place in Group B of the Asian qualifiers with 12 points.

Iraq now trails South Korea (15 points) and Jordan (13 points), while Oman, Palestine, and Kuwait follow closely. With only the top two teams guaranteed to qualify directly for the 2026 finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Iraq must win both remaining games to secure an automatic berth or at least a playoff spot.

 The stakes are even higher as key striker Aymen Hussein is suspended for the critical South Korea fixture.

In the aftermath of the Palestine loss, internal turmoil erupted within the IFA. Heated exchanges reportedly took place on WhatsApp between senior association members, according to sources cited by The New Arab.

While Dirjal called for measured deliberation, the overwhelming sentiment pointed toward decisive change. Casas, in his final press appearance, accepted responsibility and called for unity, acknowledging that Iraq’s talent alone was not enough without clear strategy and vision.

Veteran voices within Iraqi football echoed these sentiments. Former national goalkeeper Imad Hashim blasted the IFA for persisting with a coach who lacked top-level experience. Speaking to Al Araby Al-Jadeed, he declared, "They have let down 45 million Iraqis."

Meanwhile, prominent Iraqi coach Abbas Atiya emphasized the need for an internationally seasoned manager capable of withstanding pressure and fostering a long-term vision. In comments to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), he said, "Only an internationally experienced coach can realize the ambitions of Iraqi football at this sensitive stage."

Before Arnold’s appointment, Moroccan coach Houcine Ammouta was among the favorites to replace Casas, as reported by multiple regional outlets. A highly decorated manager, Ammouta led Jordan to the final of the 2024 Asian Cup and has claimed titles across Africa and the Gulf.

Had he been appointed, he would have faced off against his compatriot Jamal Sellami, who currently coaches Jordan.

Looking ahead, Arnold's success will depend not only on tactics but also on institutional backing.

Javier Tebas, President of Spain’s LaLiga, emphasized in a February interview with INA that the "LaLiga Iraq" project represents a transformative vision for the country’s football future. Tebas argued that if properly implemented, Iraq’s football infrastructure and management systems could become the benchmark for the Gulf region.

"Building a professional football system is a long-term project," Tebas said, warning against short-termism and underscoring the need for legislative reform and anti-piracy measures to protect Iraq's sports development.

As Iraq prepares for its defining World Cup qualifiers, the arrival of Graham Arnold symbolizes more than a coaching change; it is a test of whether Iraqi football can rise from crisis and restore national pride on the global stage.