Former Australia manager Graham Arnold has been appointed as the new head coach of Iraq’s national football team, tasked with securing the country’s first World Cup berth in nearly four decades.

Arnold, who stepped down as Socceroos coach in September after a successful six-year tenure, will immediately face a high-stakes challenge as Iraq battles for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Iraq currently sits third in Group B of the Asian qualifiers, trailing South Korea and Jordan. Arnold’s first two matches in charge will be critical:

June 5: Iraq vs. South Korea (in Basra)
June 10: Iraq vs. Jordan (in Amman)

Victories in both fixtures would guarantee Iraq’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup—their first appearance since their debut in 1986.

The 61-year-old Australian coach earned widespread praise for leading the Socceroos to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, where they were narrowly defeated by eventual champions Argentina (2-1). His experience in high-pressure matches and familiarity with Asian football make him a strong fit for Iraq’s ambitions.

Iraqi football fans are hopeful that Arnold can replicate his success with Australia and end their nation’s long World Cup drought. The team has shown promise in recent qualifiers but must overcome tough opposition to secure an automatic qualification spot.

With only a few weeks to prepare, Arnold will need to quickly assess his squad and implement his tactical approach. The match against South Korea, Asia’s highest-ranked team, will be particularly daunting, but a win in front of a home crowd in Basra could provide the momentum needed for the decisive clash against Jordan.

If successful, Arnold could cement his legacy as the coach who finally brought Iraq back to the world’s biggest football stage.