The Iraqi Football Association revealed, via its official Facebook account, the continuation of direct discussions through video conferencing technology with the participation of Ghaith Mohanna, advisor to the president of the association, and manager of coach Arnold and Tony Ralls, along with team translator Ali Abbas. The association explained that these consultations seek to reach a consensual formula that allows renewing the contract with the Australian coach who succeeded in qualifying the 'Lions of Mesopotamia' to the 2026 World Cup finals for the second time in the team's history in the tournament, after an absence of four decades. The draw placed them in a strong group including France, Norway, and Senegal, where they suffered three defeats and left empty-handed with no points, conceding 12 goals. Their last match against Senegal saw a 5-0 loss and a numerical disadvantage after an early red card forced the team to play most of the match with ten players. It is noted that Arnold's current contract is about to end at the end of this July, specifically on Friday the 31st, after he took over the job in May 2025.

These discussions come within the framework of efforts to evaluate the technical staff's performance and outline the next phase of Iraqi football at the continental and international levels.

These negotiations are of utmost importance given the Iraqi national team's need for technical stability in preparation for upcoming commitments and to correct course after the recent World Cup participation. Both parties are studying all details related to the new contract and its terms to ensure alignment of visions between the association and the coach. Resolving the technical staff file is a pivotal step in the football federation's plans to develop the performance of the 'Lions of Mesopotamia' and enhance their presence in upcoming regional and continental competitions. The deadline for the current contract on July 31 will be crucial for announcing the final decision on the future of the technical staff.