Iraq national football team eyes new coach as Arnold contract nears end

The Iraqi Football Federation has opened negotiations with Australian coach Graham Arnold as his contract expires at the end of July 2026. A special committee chaired by Younes Mahmoud, with members Sarhamad Abdel‑Ilah and Mohammed Nasser, is tasked with reaching a decision before Arnold's term ends.

If talks with Arnold fail, the federation is considering Moroccan coach Walid al‑Rukraki, who led Morocco to the 2022 World Cup semi‑finals and recently left his role with the Atlas Lions. Al‑Rukraki has been placed at the top of the shortlist of candidates for the Iraq job.