The Iraq Football Association is considering ending Graham Arnold’s contract after the national team’s painful elimination from the Gulf Cup, with senior officials understood to be preparing a major change in the coaching set-up.
The possibility of Arnold’s departure was disclosed by sports journalist Hisham Mohammed during an appearance on the Gulf Time programme on Al Rabia Sports.
Mohammed said Younis Mahmoud, the president of the Iraq Football Association, had held urgent and intensive meetings with board members in Jeddah to discuss the Australian manager’s future. A large majority of those involved are reportedly in favour of removing Arnold, with little support for continuing the current arrangement.
The pressure on Arnold has grown because of criticism over his team selections and what has been described as uncertainty in his management of decisive matches. Those problems became increasingly evident during the Gulf Cup and contributed to Iraq’s difficult position throughout the tournament.
The discussions come after a period of disappointment that began during the World Cup qualifiers and culminated in Iraq’s exit from the Gulf competition. The national team’s future at the tournament was decided by a combination of results that left the side dependent on events involving Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Iraq only needed to avoid defeat by Saudi Arabia or for Oman to fail to win. However, Oman defeated Kuwait while Iraq lost to Saudi Arabia. The results left the teams level, with the tournament’s drawing-of-lots procedure then sending Iraq out officially.
Despite the apparent strength of the move against Arnold, the Iraq Football Association faces a significant timing problem. There is limited time available before preparations formally begin for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia.
The federation must therefore decide whether to make an immediate change or retain the coach while preparing for the next major assignment. No final decision has been announced, but the meetings in Jeddah indicate that Arnold’s position is under serious threat.
Al Rabia Sports also reported on 30 September 2026 that the football association was discussing Arnold’s dismissal and the termination of his contract, in a post accompanying the Gulf Time programme presented by Hisham Mohammed.