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Arnold: Strong domestic league crucial for Iraq's growth

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Arnold: Strong domestic league crucial for Iraq's growth

Toronto: Iraq's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign may have ended on a low-key note but head coach Graham Arnold believes the future is bright if immediate steps are taken by the West Asian nation.

A 5-0 defeat to Senegal on Friday brought the curtains down on Iraq's return to the global stage after 40 years, having lost 3-0 to France and 4-1 to Norway in their earlier Group I matches.

Qualification to the global stage was secured after an arduous journey but Arnold said Iraq can look forward to consistently rubbing shoulders with the world's best if they work on improving their domestic league.

Group I: Senegal 5-0 Iraq

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Group I: Senegal 5-0 Iraq

Toronto: Iraq's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign came to an end following a 5-0 defeat against Senegal in Group I on Friday.

The loss meant Iraq concluded their return to the global stage for the first time in 40 years with three defeats while victory kept Senegal in the race to advance as one of the best eight third-placed sides.

Preview - Group I: Senegal v Iraq

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group I: Senegal v Iraq

Toronto: Iraq will spare no effort in ensuring their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign ends with pride — and, if results elsewhere fall kindly, perhaps even a route into the Round of 32 — when they face Senegal in their final Group I tie on Friday.

The Lions of Mesopotamia arrive at Toronto Stadium with no points from two matches, having opened with a 4-1 defeat to Norway before falling 3-0 to France. 

Those results leave Graham Arnold’s side bottom of the group with an inferior goal difference, but victory over Senegal would lift them to three points and keep them in contention for one of the best third-placed spots.

Arnold confident Iraq can still progress

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Arnold confident Iraq can still progress

Philadelphia: Graham Arnold refused to accept that Iraq's dream was dashed despite their 3-0 defeat to France in the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday.

A second consecutive loss means Iraq's hopes are hanging by a thread in Group I, with even victory against Senegal on Friday may not be enough to take them into the Round of 32.

Group I: France 3-0 Iraq

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Group I: France 3-0 Iraq

Philadelphia: Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th cap by scoring two more FIFA World Cup 2026 goals on Monday as France eased to a 3-0 win over Iraq in their Group I game delayed by two hours by a severe storm.

Mbappe opened the scoring in the 14th minute and added another nine minutes into the second half, with last year's Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele getting the other goal for the tournament favourites in Philadelphia.
 
The Real Madrid forward moved to 16 FIFA World Cup goals in his career, two behind Lionel Messi who set a new record of 18 goals by netting twice for Argentina against Austria earlier on Monday.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/group-i-france-v-iraq-1

Preview - Group I: France v Iraq

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group I: France v Iraq

Philadelphia: Head coach Graham Arnold has promised that his Iraq team will try to take the game to tournament favourites France when the sides clash in Group I of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday.

Iraq opened their campaign with a 4-1 defeat to Erling Haaland-led Norway, a result that left the Lions of Mesopotamia bottom of the group and under pressure to respond.

Now they must find a way of handling France's superstar attack, led by skipper Kylian Mbappe who scored twice as Les Bleus beat Senegal 3-1 in their first match.

Iraq's Arnold remains confident despite Norway setback

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Iraq's Arnold remains confident despite Norway setback

Foxborough: Head coach Graham Arnold is confident Iraq can reignite their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign after falling to a 4-1 defeat to Norway on Tuesday.

Aymen Hussein's equaliser gave rise to hope that Iraq would be able to take something from the Group I tie but Erling Haaland's brace, Leo Ostigard's header and an own goal by Hussein sealed the points for Norway.

Group I: Iraq 1-4 Norway

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Group I: Iraq 1-4 Norway

Foxborough: Iraq had to concede to Erling Haaland-powered Norway as they fell to a 4-1 defeat in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I tie on Tuesday.

Aymen Hussein drew Iraq level after Haaland had put Norway ahead in the 29th minute but an opportunistic strike from the Manchester City star just before the break followed by Leo Ostigard's header and on own goal by Hussein ended the West Asian side's hopes of getting something from the game.

Preview - Group I: Iraq v Norway

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group I: Iraq v Norway

Foxborough: Iraq will be determined to mark their return to the global stage with victory against heavily-fancied Norway in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I opener on Tuesday.

The West Asian side's only previous appearance at the Finals was in 1986.

Saudi Arabia extend unbeaten run; Iraq go down to Venezuela

Wed, 10 Jun, 2026

Saudi Arabia extend unbeaten run; Iraq go down to Venezuela

Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia played to a goalless draw with Senegal while Iraq fell to a 2-0 defeat to Venezuela in international friendlies ahead of their respective FIFA World Cup 2026 opening fixtures.

The draw extended Saudi Arabia's unbeaten run under Georgios Donis and provided another useful test ahead of their campaign in Group H with Spain, Uruguay and Cabo Verde their opponents.

Graham Arnold's Iraq side will look to regroup as they prepare for their Group I campaign against France, Senegal and Norway.

Asian Stars to watch

Wed, 10 Jun, 2026

Asian Stars to watch

Kuala Lumpur: Asia will be represented by nine teams at the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 which kicks off on Thursday.

It promises to be a thrilling campaign for all of the Asian sides, with each bidding to create history.

As we get set for the action, the-AFC.com highlights a key player for each of the Asian teams at the global showpiece.