Federation ‘close’ to renewing Arnold’s contract after group-stage exit

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Football Association is close to renewing national team coach Graham Arnold’s contract and expects to complete it within days, federation media official Yousef Faal said Monday, weeks after Iraq lost all three of its World Cup matches.

Faal told the state newspaper Al-Sabah that talks with the Australian had “reached an advanced stage” and that both sides want to continue. “The two sides are currently completing some administrative and logistical details ahead of the official signing procedures,” he said. Earlier rounds focused on the length of the new deal and pay for Arnold and his staff, according to Al-Sabah.

He denied reports that talks had stalled or that the federation had sounded out other candidates. “Those reports are inaccurate, and the federation has not entered into negotiations with any other coaches,” he said. Federation President Younis Mahmoud and other officials made similar denials in June and July.

Arnold took charge in May 2025 after the departure of Spanish coach Jesús Casas and led Iraq through the Asian and intercontinental playoffs, securing the country’s second World Cup appearance with a 2-1 win over Bolivia on March 31 that ended a 40-year absence. At the tournament Iraq lost 4-1 to Norway on June 16, 3-0 to France on June 22 and 5-0 to Senegal on June 26, finishing bottom of Group I with one goal scored and 12 conceded.

Mahmoud said in June the association wanted Arnold to continue through the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia and was working on an extension rather than looking for a replacement. Iraq was drawn in Group D with Australia, Tajikistan and Singapore, putting Arnold against the side he coached for a record 72 internationals.

Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan met Mahmoud in Baghdad last week to discuss what a council statement called “legal obstacles” to developing the game in Iraq.