- Graham Arnold is now coaching Iraq
Former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has revealed he is safe – but stranded – in a Dubai hotel after a series of Iranian missiles saw the Aussie football legend and his wife Sarah fear for their lives.
The head coach of Iraq was recently in Fujairah, located on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates, when a missile detonated.
Labelling the explosion the ‘loudest noise I’ve ever heard’, Arnold soon discovered the war between the US and Iran had begun.
With airspace over the majority of the Middle East quickly shut down, the couple then frantically drove to Dubai, roughly 120km away.
‘Our hotel (in Fujairah) was shaking like a leaf. Since then, all we hear are bombs,’ Arnold told News Corp.
‘We (Iraq) are meant to have this big playoff in Mexico in the FIFA window, which starts in three weeks’ time.
Former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has revealed he is safe in a Dubai hotel after a series of Iranian missiles saw the Aussie football legend and his wife Sarah recently fear for their lives in Fujairah, on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates
Arnold is on the verge of football history – Iraq last qualified for the World Cup in 1986 and are scheduled to next play Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey, Mexico, on March 31 in a must-win qualifier
Arnold famously guided the Socceroos to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup (pictured, after beating Denmark)
‘(But the) airspace is shut. No flights. Nothing. I’m stuck in Dubai. I can’t get out.’
Well aware he is in a potential danger zone, Arnold’s passion for football couldn’t be more obvious.
He also knows what World Cup qualification would mean to Iraq as a nation.
They last qualified for the global tournament in 1986 and are scheduled to play Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey, Mexico, on March 31.
With Iran – who have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup – unlikely to play due to the war, Arnold is adamant Iraq should be a direct replacement.
Daily Mail understands Iraqi officials have been negotiating with FIFA for that outcome to become a reality.
Arnold, 62, is hopeful of a ‘quick decision’ from FIFA, as he pointed out ‘travelling from the Middle East to Mexico at the moment is nearly mission impossible.’
Last May, Arnold was appointed as the new head coach of the Iraq national team, succeeding Jesús Casas.
After beating the UAE last November, his players – and the football-obsessed nation – are daring to dream about a second World Cup appearance.
And to keep a lid on the level of expectation from fans, Arnold has banned his players from using social media.
‘They’re addicted to it,’ he said. ‘I don’t want them using it (social media) while we’re trying to qualify for a World Cup.
‘I’ve told them, ‘Let’s do this for you, for us, for your families. Don’t worry about people you don’t know. Don’t listen to their opinions.’
