The executive office of the Iraqi Football Association has decided that Australian coach Graham Arnold will remain in charge of the national team during the next phase, granting him full technical and administrative authority as part of preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup finals.
Iraqi FA grants Arnold full authority
Ahmed al-Mousawi, a member of the association's executive office, said after a meeting attended by the association's president and retired star Younis Mahmoud that the office had formally decided to retain Arnold's services in full. He added that the association had decided to grant the 63-year-old coach all the technical and administrative powers needed to ensure the best possible preparation for the upcoming Asian tournament.
The decision followed calls from some Iraqi fans and media outlets to terminate Arnold's contract after the national team was eliminated in the group stage of the 2027 Gulf Cup, hosted by Saudi Arabia. Iraq left the "Gulf 27" competition after a draw conducted by the organising committee, having finished level with Oman on four points each and with the same number of goals and cards.
Iraq are preparing to compete in the 2027 Asian Cup finals after being drawn in Group D alongside Tajikistan, Australia and Singapore. The Iraqi association appointed Arnold in May 2025.
The Australian coach led the national team, after a lengthy campaign through the Asian and global play-offs, to the 2026 World Cup finals for only the second time in Iraq's history, ending a 40-year absence from the tournament.
