Iraqi director 'detained in Dubai because of Iran' 'working hard' while trapped... "Watch the game, check the players" forced on-site work

*This content was translated by AI.

Graham Arnold (63), the coach of the Iraqi national soccer team, who is isolated in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), continues to work at the site.

Middle East sports media "Yalashoot" recently reported that "Coach Arnold tried to return to Baghdad after his schedule in the UAE, but he was stranded in Dubai due to the recent suspension of flights and some airspace closures."

According to the media, Arnold, who was preparing for the 2026 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup Intercontinental Playoff (PO), recently entered Dubai to check on his own players playing in the UAE league.

Arnold was originally scheduled to return to Baghdad on the 1st, but the flight was grounded due to air travel restrictions. Currently, he is forced to stay in Dubai waiting for air traffic to stabilize, and the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) is coordinating for the coach's early return home.

Despite the detention situation, coach Arnold silently carried out on-site inspection work. He went to the stadium and watched Al Dafra and Itihad Kalba in person from the stands to check midfielder Ibrahim Bayeshi's form. It also closely checked striker Mohanad Ali's condition.

The media said, "Iraq's World Cup challenge schedule continues despite the unfavorable situation of the commander's stranded feet. Arnold is scheduled to announce the final roster of the Iraqi national team in early March. Afterwards, we plan to go to Monterrey, Mexico for a single PO match that will determine the qualification for the finals after overseas training in the United States," he said.

Iraq ranked third in Group B of the third qualifying round for the Asian region in 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup, behind South Korea and Jordan, who are ranked first and second. In the fourth qualifying round, the points and goal differences with Saudi Arabia fell to the intercontinental PO in second place after falling behind in multiple points.

On April 1, Iraq was scheduled to compete with the winner of the Bolivia-Surinam showdown to qualify for the World Cup finals, but it was on the verge of being unable to play due to the outbreak of the Middle East war.

The British 'Guardian' reported that Iraq held emergency talks with FIFA as the closure of its airspace for at least four weeks made it impossible for 40% of the team to move.

To make matters worse, even coach Arnold was isolated in Dubai, and the closure of embassies in the Middle East paralyzed the issuance of visas to the United States and Mexico.

Iraq was also mentioned as a strong candidate to succeed the qualification if Iran boycotted the World Cup, but it is currently facing a difficult situation due to various situations.

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*This content was translated by AI.