Iraq Confirms Arnold's Contract Extension as World Cup Playoff Door Opens
19 November 2025
Arnold's Contract Safeguarded as Iraq Advances Toward the World Cup Playoff
Adnan Darjal, president of the Iraqi Football Association, ended the speculation about the end date of Australian Graham Arnold's contract, stating that it will renew automatically upon qualification for the World Cup playoff.
Iraq earned a spot in the global playoff scheduled for March, joining five other nations in the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: New Caledonia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jamaica, Bolivia, and Suriname.
The final playoff tie will be contested against the winner of the semi-final, with the match set to take place after the draw scheduled for Thursday.
Iraq clinched their playoff berth by defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in yesterday's return leg, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Abu Dhabi.
The end date of Arnold's contract remains conditional on World Cup qualification; he will continue with the team through the Arab Cup in Qatar from December 1-18, before heading toward the 2026 finals.
The 62-year-old coach took charge on May 9 last year, leading Iraq in eight matches with five wins, two draws, and one loss, and he remains hopeful of guiding the team back to the World Cup after Australia’s appearance in 2022.
Darjal praised Arnold's performance, saying the team has progressed and the World Cup dream remains alive, while stressing that qualification is the ultimate test ahead. He also highlighted the positive atmosphere in Basra and extended thanks to the UAE for their sportsmanship and attendance.
He added that the federation has clear plans, ongoing elections, and a constructive relationship with Younis Mahmoud, despite occasional public disagreements—a normal feature of football governance, he joked.
Darjal confirmed his bid for the federation presidency, with Mahmoud publicly signaling his intention to run as his rival in upcoming elections; both insist their aim is to advance Iraqi football and national pride.
In closing, Darjal expressed love for Iraq and its people, hoping for a broad renaissance across sports and society, with the ultimate goal of sending the national team to the World Cup again—the first time since 1986 in Mexico, a milestone in which Darjal himself participated.
Both the federation and the national squad remain focused on 2026, with the dream of a second World Cup appearance fueling every training session and tactical meeting.
Punchline time: If Arnold’s contract were a rifle, it’d be kept in the holster until after the World Cup—precision, patience, and a little drama included. Punchline two: In Iraqi football, the only thing heavier than the ball is the hope for a 2026 fairytale, and apparently the contract keeps getting extended like a good joke—the longer the setup, the bigger the payoff.
