Iraq Vows to Shock World in FIFA World Cup Playoff

Graham Arnold has declared Iraq ready to “shock the world” as the Lions of Mesopotamia stand one win away from a return to the global stage — four decades after their last appearance.

Iraq will face either Bolivia or Suriname in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, with a place at the FIFA World Cup™️ on the line.

“We’re going to play without fear, shock the world and enjoy it,” he said in an interview obtained on the FIFA website on Saturday.

The match will be the nation’s 21st qualifier of a gruelling campaign and could deliver only a second World Cup appearance — and a first since 1986.

For the Australian professional football manager and former player, it is also a shot at history, as he aims to become the first AFC coach to lead two different nations at the global finals.

Arnold’s connection with Iraqi football dates back more than two decades.

According to the interview release dated February 19, as Australia’s assistant coach at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, he faced Iraq in the quarter-finals at Crete’s Pankritio Stadium.

Iraq defeated the Olyroos on their way to a fourth-place finish, a feat that came amid conflict at home.

2007 Asian Cup

Much of that squad went on to win the 2007 Asian Cup.

He said, “It really began back in 2004 with that squad that wound up then winning the Asian Cup where it was clear what they could do. I’ve always felt though that they’d underachieved in World Cup qualification. It’s been 40 years since the nation was at a World Cup and it was that challenge that also drew me to Iraq.

“I knew from my time with Australia where, prior to 2006, we also hadn’t qualified for such a long time what that can do. Getting back to the World Cup with a country that is so passionate about football can actually change the nation.”

After resigning as Australia coach in September 2024, Arnold was appointed Iraq manager in May the following year, succeeding Jesus Casas.

A 1-0 win away to Jordan in his second match in charge sent Iraq into the fourth round of the AFC preliminaries. They missed out on automatic qualification only on goals scored after finishing level with Saudi Arabia, before a 107th-minute penalty secured victory over United Arab Emirates in the fifth round and booked their place in the Play-Off Tournament.

Play-Off Final

Seeded directly into the Play-Off Final, Iraq are now one match from a return to the World Cup. Either Bolivia or Suriname will be their opponents in Monterrey on 31 March.

Arnold asserted, “I really can’t tell you who I think will win between Bolivia and Suriname but the most important thing is that we get things right with ourselves. We have to make sure that our preparation is right and that the players are fit and ready.

“Then, we go for it. I can tell you that we won’t go there trying not to lose. When we get on that pitch we’ll give it full gas for 95 or 120 minutes or however long it takes to win that game.

“This squad has been on the edge four times in six months. It’s been such an intense effort to get to this point, this is the 21st qualifier we’ll have played, whereas some nations play only eight to get to a World Cup.

“Having come this far, we will leave everything on the pitch and go for it from the very first minute because I want to do this for the Iraqi people.”

Arnold brings decades of experience to the role, both as a player and coach. He earned 56 caps for Australia and has led teams at multiple Olympics and World Cups. His international coaching record spans more than 250 matches.

Since taking charge, he has implemented changes on and off the pitch.

The 62-year-old has based himself in Baghdad and attends domestic matches as part of what he describes as a full commitment to the role.

“There’s a perception about Iraq that is, in my view, completely wrong. I’ve been living here for the majority of the time I’ve been in the role and have travelled all over the country and there are many beautiful places.

“It’s true that not many tourists come here but where I live in Baghdad things are really modern, with beautiful parks. But for me the most important thing is that I’m fully invested in the job. That means being in Iraq, going to local matches and showing people that I’m fully committed.

“In terms of the playing group, technically they have everything that is needed and I’ve been really impressed with how they’ve adapted to things tactically. We’re more compact, more disciplined and more structured than we were before. That means we have had to work on the physical and mental side of the game.

“One thing that we did straight away was make sure that from the day they get into camp to the day they leave, they have a social media ban. They need to focus on just playing and getting the result done and I think that’s had a big impact because there’s less distractions, they can sleep better and are not addicted to their phones, reading what’s happening,” the coach stated.

Should Iraq secure qualification

Should Iraq secure qualification, they would join France, Senegal and Norway in Group I at the World Cup.

Arnold, however, insists his side will not be overawed.

He stated, “The pressure is different for me than it was with Australia because there I felt an obligation to my nation. Now though I want to do it for the Iraqi people, a nation of 46 million people, obsessed with football, who bleed the one blood and have the one dream.

“Some people may say that France, Norway and Senegal is the group of death. I say let’s go for it. All the pressure is on France to win it, the pressure’s on Norway and Senegal to get through – the pressure is not on Iraq.

“I don’t care what anyone says, there’s nothing better than going to a World Cup. When we’re there we’ve got nothing to lose so we’re going to play without fear, shock the world and enjoy it while we’re doing it.”

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