How can Iraq benefit from the postponement of the AFC Asian Cup 2028?

Strategies have changed and tactical calculations have intertwined within the corridors of the Iraq Football Association following the AFC's sudden decision to reschedule the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia to take place from December 23, 2027, to January 21, 2028, instead of its previous date.

This strong continental adjustment coming in the midst of preparations for the Basra Four Nations Friendly Championship scheduled from November 10 to 17, featuring Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine, has opened the door to widespread criticism and ruthless technical reviews of the recent performances of the Lions of Mesopotamia.

In strong statements to the press, former international player Riyad Mazhar opened fire on the technical and physical situation of the national team players, confirming that the Lions of Mesopotamia are going through their worst football period ever.

Muzhir said in a sharp tone:

"What is happening to the players of the Iraq national team is very strange; there is an unnatural fluctuation and a significant decline in levels. We might exclude one or two players, but in general, most players are suffering from a clear decline, starting from Ibrahim Bayesh, Akam Hashem, Ali Jasim, Abdul Knight, Mohammed Qassim, Ahmad Basel, Maytham Jabbar, Mustafa Saadoon, and extending to the rest of the names."

He added, criticizing the mentality and readiness of the national players:

"These players seem as if football has ended for them after the FIFA World Cup! It’s as if the passion that coach Graham Arnold spoke about has completely left them. There is no effort or performance, and there is negligence from the players in taking care of themselves; even the correct and realistic readings on the pitch have become absent, as if we are talking about inexperienced players despite having played dozens of international matches."

Riyad Mazhar emphasized that the decision to move the date of the continental tournament came as a gift and a great service to Iraqi football to reorganize the internal structure.

He explained, saying:

"Honestly, the Iraqi national team is going through one of its worst phases, and the decision to postpone the AFC Asian Cup is entirely in Iraq's favor right now. We have gained a significant benefit from the postponement because local players, in particular, are going through a very bad period. There is a large group of players who are not performing well and are currently unqualified to participate in the AFC Asian Cup, and we need to reassess everyone's levels immediately."

He continued, pointing to the root of the problem:

"The postponement of the AFC Asian Cup represents a golden opportunity for players to review themselves; as they are going through a poor technical and physical state. The real problem lies in the physical aspect; a player may make a mistake in a pass, and that is natural, but the bigger issue is their lack of physical and mental readiness and their lack of focus on the pitch. In short, Iraq is going through one of its worst technical periods."

These criticisms come at a critical time as the Iraqi Football Association is set to hold an official and decisive meeting with Australian head coach Graham Arnold right after the national team's participation in the four-nation tournament in Basra, specifically on the 18th and 19th of this month, to reassess the names and evaluate the technical path based on new data.