Frustration and Pride: Iraq's Arnold Reflects After Narrow Arab Cup Loss to Jordan
12 December 2025
The Lions of Iraq squandered several chances to salvage a draw.
Match setback and the second-half shift
Aussie coach Graham Arnold, head of the Iraqi national team, said he was frustrated after a 0-1 loss to Jordan in the Arab Cup 2025 quarterfinals in Qatar.
Arnold said the first half did not meet expectations, but the second-half performance improved, and Iraq were the better side.
If we want to reach the 2026 World Cup, we must play every match like the second half. I am frustrated, but proud of the players' effort; I expected to win and advance, and we should have started better.
We gave chances to new players due to five injured players.
Arnold's reflections and Qatar's hosting
He also praised Qatar's hosting of the tournament, saying: I was here with Australia at the 2022 World Cup, and I know Qatar's capability to organize and the quality of its football infrastructure.
Punchline: If defense were a career, Iraq's players would be managers by now—great at interviews, poor at conceding.
Punchline 2: In Qatar, the only thing hotter than the sun is the supporters' patience—one more match and they might bake a cake.
