Iraq's World Cup Dream Hangs in Balance Amid Regional Turmoil

Iraq coach shields team from war news ahead of World Cup playoff

Iraq's World Cup prep disrupted by Middle East conflict as coach Graham Arnold focuses on Bolivia playoff.

Iraq faces Bolivia in crunch World Cup playoff after turbulent journey and conflict in the Middle East..

Iraq coach Graham Arnold is going to great lengths to shield his players from the war news in the Middle East as they prep for the World Cup playoff against Bolivia. His team has been training and traveling under tough conditions, with some players facing gruelling journeys, including overland travel to Jordan before arriving in Mexico.

The conflict has obviously added an extra layer of complexity to Iraq's preparations, but Arnold's focused on keeping the team's heads in the game.

Iraq's coach, Jorgos Arnold, is staying focused on the task at hand, refusing to let the team's turbulent preparations derail their World Cup hopes. His team is determined to make history and secure a spot at the tournament for the first time since 1986.

“Representing 46 million people is a unique experience,” Arnold told reporters in Monterrey on Monday.

“A major part of my job has focused on the mental aspect.

“The players need to concentrate on themselves -- thinking of their families and a few close friends -- rather than the entire country; otherwise, the pressure becomes too great,” the 62-year-old Australian added.

Iraq's World Cup prep has been hit hard by the conflict in the Middle East, with the war between Israel, the US, and Iran causing ripples across the region and disrupting their training. The team's focus is now on the playoff against Bolivia, but the situation back home is weighing on their minds.

The Iraqi team only arrived in Mexico about 10 days ago, after a grueling three-day journey from Baghdad that involved crossing into Jordan by land. It's a tough situation, with at least 101 people killed in Iraq since the conflict started on February 28.

The team's journey has been marked by uncertainty and danger, but they're trying to stay focused on their World Cup playoff against Bolivia. 

“It has been a very difficult month,” admitted Arnold, who had initially pushed for Tuesday's playoffs to be delayed.

“I prefer not to talk about it right now (the war in the Middle East). I have tried to shield my players from it.

“A tremendous amount is happening in the Middle East; if they dwell on it too much, it will mess with their heads. They know what they have to do for their country. These past 20 days have been very difficult for them, but now they are relaxed.”

Arnold said he believes qualification could “change a country and the perception of it.”

“In Iraq, there is an obsession with football; it is the national sport,” he said.

“It is an honour to work with these players; I tried to be a father figure this week because I have experienced these situations (playoffs) before with Australia,” he added.