Motivated Iraqi coach G. Arnold: ‘I chose to live in Iraq of my own accord’

2026-05-29 07:30 © AFP

The Iraq national team coach Graham Arnold led his team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Iraq will participate in the World Cup for the second time. The first time was in 1986 when the football festival also visited Mexico.

Arnold said how he dedicated himself for better results of the team.

My contract did not specify that I had to live in Iraq, but after the first training camp, I felt that if I didn't invest my time living there and learning their culture, I would be acting incorrectly... so I chose to live in Iraq.

I really learned a lot from it, and one of the lessons was – it's so hot,” the 62-year-old Australian said.