Iraq’s bid to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been plunged into crisis after a 2–1 defeat to Palestine on Tuesday evening at Amman International Stadium. [Getty]
Iraq‘s bid to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been plunged into crisis after a 2–1 defeat to Palestine on Tuesday evening at Amman International Stadium.
The loss—Iraq’s first ever against Palestine in World Cup qualifying matches—leaves the team third in Group B with just two matches remaining, intensifying demands for sweeping changes at the top of Iraqi football.
Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani is facing growing calls to dismiss both Iraq Football Association President Adnan Dirjal and head coach Jesús Casas after the national team secured only one point from consecutive fixtures against Kuwait and Palestine. The defeat leaves Iraq on 12 points; trailing group leaders South Korea (15) and Jordan (13), with Oman (10), Palestine (6) and Kuwait (5) below them.
Sources within the Iraqi Football Association report heated exchanges among senior officials on WhatsApp, with a majority urging immediate action against Dirjal and Casas. Dirjal has urged caution, insisting any decision must be carefully considered.
In his post-match press conference, Casas accepted collective responsibility, saying, “Everyone is accountable—the staff, the players, and myself. Any decision on my future lies with the football association.” He added that while Iraq “possesses ample talent,” success requires more than raw ability, and pledged to “correct the team’s course” in the remaining fixtures.
Calls for overhaul
Former Iraq captain and goalkeeper Imad Hashim criticised both the association and the coaching appointment in comments to Al Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab‘s Arabic-language sister outlet. He questioned hiring Casas—who had no senior managerial experience—and lamented the six dropped points that could have secured qualification.
“This failure rests on the coaching staff and the association for persisting with this appointment. They have let down 45 million Iraqis,” he said.
Veteran coach Abbas Atiya told the Iraqi News Agency (INA), “The national team needs a new coaching philosophy and a world-class manager with previous experience leading teams to World Cup finals.”
He warned that coach selection should prioritise “training philosophy and ability to handle challenges,” arguing that “changing leadership after failure can lead to success, whereas changing after success may have the opposite effect.”
While acknowledging Iraqi coaches’ readiness to step up, he stressed that “at this sensitive stage, only an internationally experienced coach can realise the ambitions of Iraqi football.”
Crucial remaining matches
• Iraq vs South Korea — Basra International Stadium, 2 April 2025
• Jordan vs Iraq — Amman International Stadium, 7 June 2025
With two games left, Iraq must win both to keep alive slim hopes of direct qualification or a play off berth. The task is made harder by the suspension of key striker Ayman Hussein for the upcoming match against South Korea.
