Graham Arnold (63), an Australian who currently leads the Iraq national soccer team, described a tense situation amid the war between the United States and Iran.
The British newspaper Daily Mail reported on the 10th (Korea time) that Arnold witnessed an Iranian missile attack while recently staying in Fujairah, an eastern coastal city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Startled by the sound of explosions amid mounting war tensions, Arnold and his wife Sarah hurriedly drove 120 km to take refuge in Dubai. However, with airspace closed, they are currently stranded at their hotel.
Arnold, who took the helm in May last year following coach Jesus Cas, told Australia's News Corp, "Our hotel shook like falling leaves. After that, all you could hear was the sound of bombs," describing the tense situation.
He added, "In three weeks the World Cup playoff will be held in Mexico, but the airspace is closed. There are no planes and nothing. We're trapped in Dubai and can't leave."
Under Arnold's management, Iraq is scheduled to play a 2026 FIFA CONCACAF World Cup playoff in Monterrey, Mexico, on Apr. 1 against either Bolivia or Suriname. But because of the war's fallout and the closure of Middle East airspace, Arnold is also stuck in Dubai.
The Iraq Football Association has formally asked FIFA to postpone the World Cup playoff schedule. At the same time, Arnold argues that although Iran secured qualification, because its participation has become uncertain due to the war, Iraq should take its place.
While Iraqi football officials are negotiating with FIFA over Iraq's direct qualification to the finals, Arnold urged FIFA to make a quick decision, saying, "Moving from the Middle East to Mexico now is close to a 'mission impossible.'"
Arnold said, "If the match is held in Mexico, it will be difficult to leave Baghdad," adding, "About 60% of the players play in Iraq, and the coaching staff and medical team all live in Iraq. We are currently having difficulty obtaining Mexican visas."
If Iraq under Arnold goes to the World Cup in place of Iran, it would be the first time in 40 years since the 1986 Mexico tournament. If Iraq qualifies for the finals, the UAE could take Iraq's place in the playoff.
Meanwhile, Arnold has banned the team from using social media (SNS) entirely. He instructed, "Players are addicted to social media. I want them not to use it while playing World Cup qualifiers."
He emphasized, "I told the players, 'Play for yourself, for us, and for your families. Don't listen to the opinions of people you don't even know.'"
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