The Iraqi National Team Clings to a Slim Hope in the World Cup Playoffs
Iraqi coach Hamza Dawood described the state of the Iraqi national team before the matches against the UAE in the Asian playoffs for the 2026 World Cup as akin to holding onto a feather in the air, referring to the significant difficulties and challenges facing the Lions of Mesopotamia before the two decisive matches on the 13th and 18th of this month.
Dawood stated in his remarks: "The Iraqi national team roster is a repeated version of previous rosters, and there is nothing new in the names of the players; the only new name is coach Graham Arnold, who differs from coach Jesus Casas. Therefore, the ceiling of ambition among the Iraqi sports community is not high, yet there is a glimmer of hope for the team to deliver the best possible performance."
He added: "Everyone stands behind the Lions of Mesopotamia, and we hope that the complex task will be successfully completed to achieve the dream of reaching the World Cup, which has been delayed for 40 years. After that, this team will undergo a radical change, except for 4 to 5 players, and this is a reality that must be accepted, as the current level of the team is very concerning and will face significant difficulties."
Dawood confirmed: "Today, there is no room for sweet talk and praise for the team, especially after the disappointment in the previous qualifiers, and the last chance is in the playoffs for the World Cup, so any unsatisfactory result will be subject to severe criticism."
He pointed out that the Iraqi national team is like one clinging to a feather in the air, hoping that this feather will land on the pitch, and the difficulty lies in the absence of strong points that could change the course of the match, especially with the closeness of the players' levels and the lack of a winning card that could shift the balance."
Dawood concluded his remarks by saying: "The matches against the UAE are the last chance to bring joy to the Iraqi people, and any disappointing result will not spare anyone from harsh criticism. The coaching staff led by Graham Arnold must find solutions to the complex challenge, especially with the absence of individual solutions that have affected the essential elements of the team."
Dawood stated in his remarks: "The Iraqi national team roster is a repeated version of previous rosters, and there is nothing new in the names of the players; the only new name is coach Graham Arnold, who differs from coach Jesus Casas. Therefore, the ceiling of ambition among the Iraqi sports community is not high, yet there is a glimmer of hope for the team to deliver the best possible performance."
He added: "Everyone stands behind the Lions of Mesopotamia, and we hope that the complex task will be successfully completed to achieve the dream of reaching the World Cup, which has been delayed for 40 years. After that, this team will undergo a radical change, except for 4 to 5 players, and this is a reality that must be accepted, as the current level of the team is very concerning and will face significant difficulties."
Dawood confirmed: "Today, there is no room for sweet talk and praise for the team, especially after the disappointment in the previous qualifiers, and the last chance is in the playoffs for the World Cup, so any unsatisfactory result will be subject to severe criticism."
He pointed out that the Iraqi national team is like one clinging to a feather in the air, hoping that this feather will land on the pitch, and the difficulty lies in the absence of strong points that could change the course of the match, especially with the closeness of the players' levels and the lack of a winning card that could shift the balance."
Dawood concluded his remarks by saying: "The matches against the UAE are the last chance to bring joy to the Iraqi people, and any disappointing result will not spare anyone from harsh criticism. The coaching staff led by Graham Arnold must find solutions to the complex challenge, especially with the absence of individual solutions that have affected the essential elements of the team."
News Related
Iraq Snatches a Precious Draw Against the UAE in the First Leg of the Asian Playoff
The Iraqi national team came out with a positive result from its match against the UAE after
Saad Natiq Returns to the Iraqi National Team
Before today's match against the UAE in the Asian playoff first leg, Saad
Three Final Recommendations from Graham Arnold to His Players Before Facing the UAE
Graham Arnold, the coach of the Iraqi national team, issued three final directives to his players.
Graham Arnold Comments Before Facing the UAE
The Australian coach Graham Arnold, head coach of the Iraqi national team, stated in the press conference before the match that his team does not have the advantage over the UAE despite the match being played on a nearly neutral ground.
Get to Know the Date of the Iraq vs. UAE Match in the Asian Playoffs
The Iraq national team is preparing for a strong and decisive match against the UAE national team on
The Playoff Leaves Its Heavy Marks on the Iraqi National Team
The Iraqi national team faces significant challenges ahead of their first match against the UAE.
Montadhar Al-Majed Explains Reasons for His Absence from the UAE Match
Player Montadhar Al-Majed, star of the Iraqi national team and Swedish team Hammarby, commented on the significant controversy surrounding his apology for participating with the Lions of Mesopotamia in preparation for the matches against the UAE in the Asian playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Montazer Al-Majed Withdraws from Iraq's Matches Against UAE
The Iraqi national team faces a setback as professional player Montazer Al-Majed withdraws from training camp due to health issues.
Ibrahim Bayesh Absent from Iraq for the First Time Since 2022
Iraqi national team star Ibrahim Bayesh will miss the matches of the Black Lions of Mesopotamia.
Graham Arnold Calls Up Police Club Forward Instead of Youssef Amin
The Australian coach of the Iraqi national team, Graham Arnold, has decided to call up a forward from the Police Club.