Iraq national team coach Graham Arnold appeared at a press conference today in Baghdad after renewing his contract with the 'Lions of Mesopotamia', expressing his happiness at returning and excitement to start a new journey following the FIFA World Cup break.
The Australian coach has set clear goals for the upcoming phase, primarily aiming to elevate the Iraqi national team in the continental rankings and work towards direct qualification for the FIFA World Cup.
Arnold said: "I am happy to be back in Baghdad again, and I am excited to start a new journey with Iraq after the FIFA World Cup break."
He added: "My goal is to elevate Iraq to the second tier in Asia and secure direct qualification for the FIFA World Cup."
He pointed out that he has important fundamentals he will work on during the upcoming challenges: "We have important fundamentals that we will work on in the AFC Asian Cup and the Gulf Cup, and I will not go to any tournament just for participation and enjoyment."
The coach revealed that he has started monitoring the Iraq Stars League and the leagues of Iraqi professionals abroad to select the best players for the upcoming phase.
"I have started monitoring the Iraq Stars League and the leagues of professional players to select the best, and I will be present starting tomorrow at most of the league matches."
Arnold stressed the selection criteria: "Anyone who wants to be in the Iraq national team must always be the best, and the player is required to be in good physical condition and to work with their club to secure a place in the national team."
The coach refused to discuss the Gulf Cup squad early, saying: "It is too early to talk about the Gulf Cup squad, and the upcoming tournament is very important for me and for the players who will be selected."
Arnold confirmed the presence of a remarkable group of young players both inside and outside Iraq, along with talents in the Olympic team that can be utilized in the upcoming period.
He spoke about his work with the Iraqi Football Association: "There is significant work with the association president Younis Mahmoud, and I have held ongoing meetings with the director of the national teams department Mohammad Nasser to outline the next steps."
He stated, "I will discuss in the upcoming period with the federation the issue of having a local assistant coach within the coaching staff."
Regarding the duration of the new contract, Arnold clarified that the federation offered him a four-year renewal, but he preferred to extend for six months: "The federation offered me a four-year renewal, but a six-month extension is in my interest and the interest of the federation for the continuation of passion and work."
Mohammad Nasser revealed his family's support for his decision to continue: "My family supported my decision to stay with Iraq, and they were among the happiest people after the national team's qualification for the FIFA World Cup."
He concluded his remarks with a message to reassure the fans: "My presence today in Iraq means that I intend to stay and achieve success for the benefit of Iraqi football."
He confirmed that the report he previously prepared about the national team was related to what happened at the FIFA World Cup, and that his focus is now entirely on the future and the challenges awaiting the 'Lions of Mesopotamia' in the Al Khaleej, FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and the AFC Asian Cup.
