Graham Arnold, the coach of the Iraqi national team, revealed details of the preparations for the global playoff match qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals, confirming ongoing coordination and intensive discussions with the Iraqi Football Association to ensure the best possible preparation for the Lions of Mesopotamia.

Arnold stated in his remarks: "There are many intensive discussions between me and the president of the federation, and we all work with one spirit to prepare the team optimally for success in the upcoming match."

He added: "The preparations will begin effectively during the second and third months, focusing on all technical and physical details to ensure full readiness before the date of the global playoff match."

The coach of the Lions of Mesopotamia explained: "It is very important to choose the right place to hold the team's camp in the city of Monterrey, Mexico, to adapt to the city's atmosphere and climatic conditions, which is a key factor in our preparation for the match."

He continued: "We will play only one friendly match before the playoff, which will be dedicated to good preparation regardless of the identity of the opponent, whether it is the Suriname or Bolivia team."

Arnold pointed out his monitoring of potential opponents, saying: "I watched both teams, and both have a high level, and I will continue to monitor them in the coming days through the matches they will play, so we are fully aware of each team's playing style."

He confirmed: "The level of Iraqi national team players is very good, which gives us a positive impression that the team is on the right track technically and physically."

He concluded his remarks by saying: "The pressure of matches in the Iraqi Stars League has contributed to raising the physical fitness level of the players, which benefits them and the national team, despite the difficulty of the schedule."

The Iraqi national team is preparing for a decisive encounter in the global playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, as the Lions of Mesopotamia aspire to achieve the long-awaited dream of reaching the next World Cup.