Iraq hire former Australia boss Graham Arnold as head coach

BAGHDAD: Iraq hired former Australia boss Graham Arnold as head coach of their national team on Friday.

Arnold left Australia in September after six years in charge during which he took the Socceroos to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup, where they lost to eventual winners Argentina.

Welcome to Baghdad

Our new Australian head coach Graham Arnold has arrived in the Iraqi capital! pic.twitter.com/AH1IybroHv

— Iraq National Team (@IraqNT_EN) May 9, 2025

Iraq are third in Group B of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and Arnold will start with two crucial games against leader South Korea in Basra on June 5 and second-placed Jordan in Amman five days later.

Six points from these two matches would seal Iraq’s place at the tournament for the first time since their 1986 debut.