Iraq's head coach Graham Arnold received a rapturous welcome from hundreds of Iraqi football fans at Sydney airport, after guiding the Arab team to their first FIFA World Cup in 40 years. Fans sang, danced to drums and tambourines, held up placards proclaiming their love for the coach, and chanted his name as the 62-year-old exited the airport on Sunday night, following Iraq's intercontinental playoff victory over Bolivia.
Supporters waved Iraqi and Australian flags while chanting “Arnie, Arnie, Arnie, oi, oi, oi” as Arnold spoke to local media. He expressed surprise at the reception, stating, “Crazy, crazy. I didn’t expect this here in Australia. Obviously in Iraq. But it’s incredible.” Arnold apologized for not being able to celebrate in Iraq due to airspace shutdowns amid regional conflicts, adding, “Seeing this here is amazing. Thank you very much. I’m just very, very proud of the players.”
The 2-1 win in Mexico came during a tumultuous period for Iraq, engulfed in Middle East tensions that stranded players and threatened to sabotage their campaign. Despite logistical nightmares and strong South American opposition, Iraq marked their return to the global tournament for the first time since 1986. The team, known as the Lions of Mesopotamia, was celebrated by thousands in Baghdad upon their return.
Arnold, who took charge of Iraq in May, led them to three wins, three draws, and two losses in World Cup qualifiers, securing a spot in the AFC playoff and eventually the intercontinental final. He had urged FIFA to postpone the final or arrange early travel for players grappling with the consequences of the US-Israeli war on Iran, a request that led to a charter flight to Mexico a week before the match.
After the victory, Arnold praised the Iraqi players for their focus amidst the war, revealing he banned social media to prevent distractions. He emphasized, “Everything that is going on in the Middle East made it a little bit harder... Iraq has nothing to lose.” Iraq will face a challenging Group I at the World Cup, with matches against France, Norway, and Senegal, starting with Norway on June 16 in Boston.
Source: www.aljazeera.com