Iraq is looking for former Australian coach Arnold to enhance the hopes of the 2026 World Cup | Football news

Iraq replaces Jesus Casas as a main coach with former Australian coach Graham Arnold before the World Cup qualifiers.

Former Australian director Graham Arnold was confirmed as a new coach of Iraq by the country’s football federation before the World Cup qualifiers next month against South Korea and Jordan.

Arnold was announced on social media by the Iraqi Football Association, which published pictures of the 61 -year -old player in Baghdad by officials from the National Authority.

“We are pleased to announce Graham Arnold as a new coach for the Iraqi national team,” Al -Ittihad said in an Instagram post. “Welcome to the Black Mesopotamia!”

Arnold replaces Jesus Casas on his head after the departure of the Spanish in the aftermath A 2-1 loss for Palestine In March during the third round of the Asian qualifiers for World Cup 2026.

This result left the Iraqis in third place in the group B, four points from the leaders of South Korea and one behind Jordan.

Welcome to Baghdad ✔

Our new Australian coach Graham Arnold has arrived in the Iraqi capital! 🛬 pic.twitter.com/ah1iybrohv

– The Iraqi national team (@iraqnt_en) May 9, 2025

The best two players in each group of the three qualified groups in Asia are automatically to the World Cup, while the teams are in third and fourth to another round of the qualifiers.

The first match for Arnold will be responsible in Basra on June 5 against the South Koreans before taking his new team to Amman to face Jordan after five days. Iraq tries to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

The date sees Arnold’s return to the international administration after more than seven months of standing as a main coach in Australia.

Arnold, who led the Australians to the round of the 2022 World Cup, resigned during a six -year talisman, after an inspirational start for the current stage of the qualifiers when he lost his team against Bahrain and directed with Indonesia in September.

He was replaced by Tony Bubovic, former West Western coach, who moved Australia to second place in the group C qualifiers before the matches against matches against the matches against Really qualified Japan And the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in June.