Younis Mahmoud reveals Iraq's plan for the AFC Asian Cup 2027

Younis Mahmoud, the president of the Iraq Football Association, has made an important decision regarding the Iraq national team, which is preparing to compete in the AFC Asian Cup 2027. They will play in Group D alongside Australia, Tajikistan, and Singapore.

Iraq's national team is set to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup through a four-nation friendly tournament held in Basra, featuring Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine. This tournament will take place in November, after which Iraq will face Vietnam in Doha before heading to Saudi Arabia.

He said: "Our meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falah Al-Zaydi, attended by the President of the Olympic Committee Aqeel Muftin and several other figures, was fruitful, and we thank him for his support, as he directed the resolution of several issues related to the Football Association, and the details will soon be clear to the media and the public."

He added: "Coach Graham Arnold is currently visiting his family in Australia and will return to Iraq on the 26th of this month to start preparations for the four-nation tournament in Basra, then the AFC Asian Cup. We are continuing with him and his coaching staff, and the Iraqi Football Association does not wish to look for another coach, as confidence in the Australian coach has been renewed for the upcoming period."

Younis stated: "There will be some adjustments to the coaching staff of the Iraq national team, and these changes will be announced soon. We are making decisions that we see as appropriate and supportive for the team, which is facing a strong tournament in the AFC Asian Cup. We are working to provide all the necessary support so that Iraq can perform at the expected level in the tournament, especially since Iraq's group will not be easy."

In a related context, informed sources stated:

The source stated: "The Iraq Football Association has already begun the search for a local coach to add to the technical staff of the Iraq national team before participating in the AFC Asian Cup 2027, with several names emerging as strong candidates for the position, including Abbas Obeid and Qusay Munir, along with a number of other coaches."

Graham Arnold's contract with the Iraq national team will continue until February 2027, after he agreed with the Iraqi Football Association in July to extend his contract for only 7 months, following the officials' notification that he would not be able to continue for a long period.