Australian coach Graham Arnold has guided Iraq to their first World Cup in 40 years, overcoming war, extreme heat, and a gruelling qualification campaign. The 62-year-old took over in May 2025 after Iraq sacked Jesús Casas, and within 12 months secured their place at the 2026 tournament.
Arnold's journey included 21 matches across four rounds, a 117th-minute penalty, and a playoff. He lived in Baghdad for eight months, adapting to local culture and 50°C heat. The team faced missiles flying around them in Baghdad and Jordan, and a scrambled 9,000-mile trip to Mexico for the decisive match.
Arnold banned social media to reduce pressure on players, whom he described as 'his boys'. He said: 'I saw 26 players obsessed with their telephones so I banned social media. They've realised social media is full of lies and negativity.' He also emphasised punctuality, fining players who were late.
The coach, who previously led Australia, said he took the job because he saw quality in the players and wanted to make 46 million people proud. 'They're completely obsessed with football,' he said. 'When top teams play there are 30,000, 40,000, 50,000. They were desperate to get to the World Cup.'
Arnold now believes Iraq can shock the world. 'Now it's time to show the world what we've got,' he said. The team landed in Chicago for their first World Cup since 1986, with the hero of qualification held up by the FBI and a photographer turned back at the border.
