The Iraqi Federation Denies Request for Local Assistant for Arnold

Sources within the Iraqi Football Federation denied circulating news about coach Graham Arnold's intention to include an Iraqi coaching element in his assisting team during the 2026 World Cup finals, confirming that the technical staff will participate in the global tournament with the same assisting team that has worked with him since he took over the task.

Special sources for winwin clarified that "the Iraqi Football Federation did not ask the Australian coach to add a local assistant to his team in the World Cup, and Arnold did not originally submit any such request." The sources added that "all the news talking about appointing an Iraqi assistant coach for Arnold is completely unfounded, and the coach is comfortable with his current team and will continue the journey with them until the end of the tournament."

The information confirms that the stability of the technical staff was one of the reasons for Arnold's success in leading Iraq to qualify, and therefore there is no intention to change its composition before the most important entitlement. The federation sees that the harmony between the coach and his Australian assistants is a decisive factor, and there is no need to introduce new names that might disturb the system.

The same sources indicated that Graham Arnold firmly emphasized the necessity of isolating the team from any news or side talks that do not serve the team. The Australian coach informed the delegation's management and players of the need to ignore everything published in the media and on social networks, and focus solely on work on the field.

Arnold does not want his players to be affected by any external matters months before the World Cup kicks off, especially since the current camp in Spain is entirely dedicated to the physical and technical aspects. Each training session is managed with the aim of raising readiness and applying the tactical ideas that will be relied upon against Norway, France, and Senegal.

The coach told those close to him that he looks forward to presenting the best possible version of the Lions of Mesopotamia in the World Cup, and that any media noise or controversy about the formation and staff might distract the players and take them out of the required focus atmosphere.

The Lions of Mesopotamia are entering a serious preparation phase, and the focus is now on improving performance and testing players in friendlies, not on news about the assisting staff or controversial call-ups.