Think of Iraq and you think of Baghdad, its millennia-old culture, the desert, the Tigris and the Euphrates. And then, inevitably, the political tensions that have shaped the country over the past few decades. In that kind of context, football should occupy only a marginal place. Yet, as Iraq head coach Graham Arnold put it, “Iraqis are obsessed with football. Above all, with El Clásico.” Arnold is Australian. Before accepting the offer from the Iraqi Football Association, he spent years coaching at home before taking charge of the Socceroos between 2018 and 2024. After arriving in Baghdad, he said he had never seen “a country so passionate about football”. Speaking to CBS Sports, Arnold explained that Iraqis “have public holidays when Barcelona and Real Madrid play. I think they only work half a day.”
Before taking the Iraq job, Arnold had never been to the country. During a World Cup press conference, he said he had been struck by the Iraqi people’s love of football, Spanish football above all. “I even told Gianni Infantino about it,” he said. “There are no other sports there. Only football. They watch every match. Turn on the television and you can watch any of Europe’s major leagues.” Iraq lost their opening two group matches, although both came against heavyweights in Norway and France. Tonight they face Senegal and, with a victory, can still hope to reach the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams. Arnold’s side need to win and hope results elsewhere fall their way. A difficult task, but not an impossible one.
Even so, the atmosphere across the country remains one of celebration. Iraq had not appeared at a World Cup for forty years, since Mexico ’86, and this is only the second time they have qualified. “I can’t imagine what Baghdad must have been like during those first two matches, or what it will be like tonight,” Arnold said. “They’re fanatics. Their passion is immense. They put the players under enormous pressure, but their support is what got us to the World Cup.” Tonight, Iraq are playing for something greater than a place in the Round of 16. A country consumed by football has been waiting for this match, perhaps even more than for El Clásico.