Iraq Football Podcast

🚨 The latest episode of the Iraq Football Podcast is OUT NOW! 🇮🇶 We discuss Iraq’s disgraceful end to the Gulf Cup, the U23 disaster, the Iraqi FA, the problems in our league, Graham Arnold’s future, women’s football & much more! 🔥 Listen now & let us know your thoughts 👇 🎙️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0lL… 🎥 YouTube: youtu.be/UcXjTkUIWJQ?is=l4q9…

Congratulations to Raian Amin on earning his place in the Iraq U23 squad! 🇮🇶❤️ He becomes the second member of his family to represent Iraq, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Rewan. Two wonderful people from one incredible family. Nothing but pride in seeing them both represent the country. ❤️🇮🇶

🚨 Montader Madjed was allegedly contacted by Graham Arnold and told that he would play a pivotal role in Iraq’s upcoming tournament. However, Montader reportedly requested not to be called up. Arnold then made it clear that if he did not wish to represent Iraq, he would have to publicly communicate that decision to the fans himself. Following Montader’s apparent decision not to represent Iraq at this time, it is difficult to see how the relationship between the player and Graham Arnold can be repaired in the current circumstances. 🇮🇶

🇮🇶 Iraqi fans deserve nothing less than the best. When you wear that shirt, you represent every single one of us. It’s bigger than any player, manager or individual within the FA. Nobody is bigger than Iraq. 🇮🇶 الجمهور العراقي يستاهل الأفضل دائماً. من تلبس قميص المنتخب، إنت تمثّل كل واحد من عدنا. المنتخب أكبر من أي لاعب أو مدرب أو شخص بالاتحاد، وماكو أحد أكبر من العراق.

You have problems with your teammates? I understand. Issues with the manager? I understand. Problems with the FA? I understand. But none of that excuses failing to turn up and perform for the fans. They should ALWAYS come first. At the end of the day, they’re the ones you represent.

🚨 Montader Madjed will not be joining the Iraq squad for the upcoming tournament against Lebanon, Palestine and Iran in Basra. 🇮🇶🇱🇧🇮🇷🇵🇸 🗞️ @Raniiamiir

If Ahmed Basil starts in goal for Iraq against Palestine in our next match, I will be absolutely furious. And I have very good reasons for saying that. Here's why. 👇

The Asian Cup delay could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Iraq. 🇮🇶 Graham Arnold has a golden opportunity in the upcoming four-team tournament against Iran, Lebanon and Palestine to experiment, introduce new faces and find solutions to the national team's problems. It's time to use it wisely!

🚨 Iraq National Team Official Squad Head coach Graham Arnold announces the squad selected for the Basra International Tournament. 🇮🇶🇮🇷🇱🇧🇵🇸 📸 القائمة الرسمية لمنتخبنا الوطني 🇮🇶 أعلن مدرب منتخبنا الوطني، غراهام أرنولد، قائمة اللاعبين المستدعاة للمشاركة في بطولة البصرة الدولية.

🚨 OFFICIAL: As predicted, the 2027 AFC Asian Cup has officially been postponed until the end of 2027. Given the ongoing instability in the region, this presents both advantages and disadvantages for the Iraqi national team. However, our biggest concern is whether Graham Arnold will remain in charge for another year. Quite frankly, this seems highly unlikely. If Arnold decides to end his tenure with Iraq, the FA will now face the task of finding a new head coach ahead of the tournament.

The first isn’t Messi by the way. It’s Zidane Iqbal (It’s actually Paul Scholes!) 🤣

Aymen Hussein is now the proud holder of a shirt belonging to the second best footballer of all time 🔥 🐐

Hussein Ali returns to the pitch for Pogoń Szczecin in the Polish top flight after a short spell on the sidelines following hernia surgery. Great to see Hassouni back! 🇮🇶❤

Whilst I agree with you about the state of our country, we shouldn’t have to just sit back and accept this corruption as something that’s okay. The whole reason I started this platform is to give fans a voice and to see the development of Iraqi football. The amount of money our FA and clubs spend is insane. But what do we have to show for this?

Some of you may have noticed that I’ve been unusually quiet recently. The truth is, what I’ve witnessed in Azerbaijan, followed by my visit to the Gulf United in Dubai, has left me genuinely pissed off and ashamed by how far behind Iraqi football continues to fall compared to other countries. Saad Natiq’s leg break is another tragic reminder of how bad our pitches are too. I’ve decided to hold my tongue for now. I’ll address everything in a video or two because there is far more to say than a tweet can cover. Enough is enough. Iraq deserves better. Our players deserve better. Most importantly, our fans deserve so much better.

🚨 BREAKING: Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi has approved a 7 billion IQD payment to Iranian company Boland Payeh to resume construction of Al-Tajiyat Stadium. 🇮🇶🏟️ The 60,000-capacity stadium is expected to be completed by October 2028, ahead of the Gulf Cup, with Iraq planning to inaugurate it with a friendly against a major national team. Construction currently stands at 34–35%.

Another day, another Montadhar Madjid goal. 🤩 Absolutely insane finish! 🚀 teapawt.net/LOSCxtra/status/211689…

Yep. I’ll make a video on this soon.

🚨 Various reports suggest the 2027 AFC Asian Cup is increasingly likely to be postponed by a year amid growing regional instability, with further escalation involving Israel, the US and Iran potentially adding to the uncertainty. A one-year delay appears more likely than relocating the tournament to another country. 🇸🇦🏆

Looks like Manchester United fans have finally discovered what a gem Zidane Iqbal is. As a United fan, this is just one of many shocking decisions made by my joke of a club these last fifteen years. Zidane deciding to leave was one of the best decisions of his life.

It’s incredible to think that Harry Kane and Yaser Kasim were once teammates at Tottenham Hotspur. This week, Kane won the Ballon d’Or, while Yaser has been retired for several years. I say this with the utmost respect for Yaser, who is a friend of mine and was an outstanding footballer. But it’s a powerful lesson for every young footballer: talent alone isn’t enough. The decisions you make throughout your career can make all the difference.