Iraq coach Arnold questions fairness of format used in Asian preliminaries for 2026 World Cup qualification

Iraq coach Graham Arnold questioned the fairness of the format used in the final stages of the Asian preliminaries for the World Cup after seeing his side beaten by Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to a place in next summer’s final.

The former Australian coach joined Oman boss Carlos Queiroz in criticizing the just-concluded qualifying round, which also saw Qatar claim a place at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

«I’m extremely proud of the boys, especially considering the way the competition went,» Arnold said after his side’s 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah made Iraq second in Group B, behind Hervé Renard’s team.

“It is no coincidence that the team in each group that had the six-day break qualified.

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«I have never seen anything like this type of format in my coaching career. When I was with Australia, we were all told that these play-offs would take place at a neutral venue.»

“It is the same as in the other group, where Qatar came through after six days off and both with support from their home city.”

Hosts granted favorable schedules

Saudi Arabia and Qatar were granted hosting rights by the Asian Football Confederation for the two groups of three teams to be played during the current international period, resulting in favorable fixture schedules for both countries’ teams.

Iraq and Indonesia, who finished third in Group B, had just three days’ recovery between their two matches in Jeddah, while the United Arab Emirates and Oman had similar schedules in Doha. Saudi Arabia and Qatar meanwhile had six days of rest.

Former Real Madrid and Portugal coach Queiroz had previously raised the issue ahead of his Oman team’s 0-0 draw with the Qataris in Doha last Wednesday.

Qatar’s 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday meant the Omanis were eliminated from the qualifiers and finished bottom of Group A.

While Saudi Arabia and Qatar claimed automatic places in the final, runners-up Iraq and the UAE will meet next month in a two-legged battle to determine who will progress to the intercontinental play-offs in March for another World Cup spot.

“The players gave me everything they had,” Arnold said. “They finished with four points, we didn’t concede a goal in this tournament but we’re still in it.

“All Iraqi media and fans must remain positive as we have progressed to the next stage with matches in November, so World Cup qualifying continues.

«I’m sorry for the Iraqi fans, but they have to understand that we are still in it. We have to stay positive.»

Published on October 15, 2025