Iraqi national team coach Graham Arnold confirmed that Zakho player Amjad Attwan represents one of the key assets for the team in the Asian playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, explaining that the player's preparations and close monitoring are a priority before selecting the official squad for the King of Thailand Cup scheduled for next September, which is considered the main preparatory stage before the playoff matches.

The source indicated that Arnold attended the training sessions of Zakho to assess Attwan's physical and technical readiness, especially since the player started his preparations late compared to his teammates, affirming that Attwan possesses multiple skills in midfield, whether in defense or shooting from outside the penalty area, making him an important element for the coach in breaking through opponents' defenses.

Sources added that the Australian coach expressed his satisfaction with the player's preparation level, and the presence of Osama Rashid with Attwan at Zakho gave Arnold optimism about increased synergy between the players, especially since they represent key elements in the national team, with the possibility of rotating between them and Zidan Iqbal and Amir Al-Amari to avoid fatigue.

The statement noted that Arnold will monitor his player Mohanad Ali during the match between Dibba Al-Fujairah and Al Ain in the UAE, before the Iraqi national team delegation departs for Thailand on August 31 of this month to enter a training camp in preparation for the Asian playoffs, which will be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where Iraq is in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, with matches scheduled from October 8 to 14.