Graham Arnold: We Are Preparing for the World Cup and Strive to Appear in the Best Form

The coach of the Iraq national team, Graham Arnold, confirmed that the technical staff is working on a comprehensive preparatory program aimed at showcasing the 'Lions of Mesopotamia' in a manner befitting the global event, noting that the goal at the 2026 World Cup is not just participation, but to deliver a performance that surprises the followers.

The Australian coach spoke after his meeting with the president of the Iraqi Football Association, Adnan Darjal, expressing his pride in obtaining Iraqi citizenship, describing it as a step that reflects the depth of the relationship that has developed between him and the Iraqi fans during the past period.

Arnold said that the past months have passed unexpectedly quickly, and that this is evidence that the work is proceeding with a positive spirit and clear harmony between the technical staff, the players, and the federation.

He added that the period he spent with the team is one of the most beautiful stations in his coaching career, as he felt great appreciation from the fans and a doubled responsibility to achieve their dream of returning to the World Cup.

He explained that he has already started learning some Arabic vocabulary, noting that he understands part of what goes on in discussions with the federation president, and that this helps him get closer to the atmosphere surrounding the team.

The draw placed Iraq in Group Nine alongside France, Norway, and Senegal, a group that many described as one of the toughest in the tournament.

But Arnold sees these encounters as an additional motivation for the team, confirming that the current preparations are proceeding according to the planned strategy, and that everyone in the technical staff is working on preparing the players physically, technically, and psychologically to deal with this challenge.

He said the goal is clear: to reach the World Cup with high readiness and to play without fear against any opponent, while maintaining the fighting identity that distinguished the team in the qualifiers.

The coach revealed that the first gathering of local players will be on May 20th, directly after the end of the 36th round of the Iraq Stars League, with the professionals joining later in the Spain camp.

The external camp will include strong friendly matches, including two encounters against the national teams of Andorra and Spain, aiming to raise the level of harmony and test tactical plans before traveling to the United States to complete the final preparation phase.

Arnold arrived in Baghdad a few days ago to finalize the initial list, in coordination with the technical and medical staff.

The focus is currently on monitoring players in the local league and abroad, with the possibility of adding new names if they prove their readiness in the coming weeks.

The coach stressed that the only criterion for selection is technical and physical readiness, and that every player will have the opportunity to prove himself before announcing the final list on June 2nd according to the instructions of the international federation.