Hong Myung-bo's June clash with Iraq, appointing Arnold as new head coach
May 10, 2025
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The Iraqi Football Association is pleased to announce coach Arnold as its new head coach on its website on the 10th (Korea time). He has more than 20 years of coaching experience. Arnold holds the record for the longest-serving head coach in Australian football A team history. He officially announced that he led Australia to the round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
On April 15, the Iraqi Football Association replaced Spanish coach Jesus Casas for poor performance. Coach Casas, who has been in charge of the Iraqi national team since 2022, lost 1-2 to Palestine in an away match in Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup. Rumors of a replacement have emerged. In the third qualifying round for the North-China World Cup, Iraq ranked third among six countries in Group B with three wins, three draws and two losses (12 points). In the end, the Iraqi Football Association broke up with Kasas. After that, he began to appoint a new head coach and entrusted Arnold with the baton.
Arnold, who was born in 1963, twice served as the head coach of the Australian national team (July 2006-December 2007 and July 2018-September 2024). Last year, he was listed as the final five candidates in the selection process for the head coach of the Korean national team and was excluded at the end.
Arnold's debut match as the head coach of Iraq is Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the North-China World Cup against South Korea at Basra International Stadium in Iraq on June 6.
It's an important game for both teams. The South Korean national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, ranked first with four wins and four draws (16 points) in the previous eight games. South Korea will advance to the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time regardless of the result of the final 10th game if it ties with Iraq in the 9th game. Only by beating South Korea can Iraq save its hopes of securing a ticket to the finals. Up to the second place in each group of this tournament, the ticket to the finals will be given. The third to fourth places will play the fourth round of qualifying and try again to advance to the finals. Iraq is ranked third with one point between second-place Jordan (13 points).
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
