Iraq rejects Jamal Al-Salami offer, backs Arnold
The Iraqi Football Association has rejected the request of Moroccan coach Jamal Al-Salami to take over the national team. This decision came after Al-Salami officially offered his services, but the federation preferred to continue with Australian coach Graham Arnold.
Why did the Iraqi federation reject Al-Salami's request?
Al-Salami, the former coach of the Jordanian national team, had offered his services after leaving Jordan by mutual agreement. However, the Iraqi federation decided to close the door to any changes in the technical staff, citing the team's stability under Arnold's leadership.
What is the current team's strategy?
Members of the Iraqi federation's board of directors trust the sports project led by Arnold, which is progressing according to a clear strategy. The federation confirmed that any change at this time could negatively impact this project.
What are Iraq's recent results?
The Iraqi team is going through a tough phase, having lost their last five matches, the most recent being a heavy 5-0 defeat to Senegal on June 26, 2026. Despite this, the federation remains optimistic about the team's stability under Arnold's leadership.
