Iraq Coach Eyes Perfect Kickstart, Bahrain Coach Admits Tomorrow’s Tough Clash in FIFA Arab Cup QatarDoha, 2 Dec 2025 (ONA) — Head coach of the Iraq football team, Australian Graham Arnold, affirmed that the team is orchestrating an ideal kickstart to its campaign in the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, as it faces Bahrain tomorrow (Wednesday) at Stadium 974 within Group D. In the pre-match press conference, he noted that the championship constitutes a pivotal opportunity for the Iraqi footballers to showcase all capabilities before entering the intercontinental playoff enjoined for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He implored his players to seize this incredible chance and demonstrate their entire finesse to take a victory lap in all clashes at this tournament, emphasizing that he feels a grandiose atmosphere as incredible and perfect as the World Cup. Emphatically, the organization will be dazzling as usual, since the championship is a critical chance for Iraq to observe players who were previously called upon in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to showcase their finesse, Arnold stressed. Iraqi captain and goalkeeper Jalal Hassan said the morals are up, as players will be committed to mesmerize the Iraqi fans in this tournament. The first clash is usually tough for the two teams, but the Iraqi squad is fully ready to face Bahrain and will be keen to perform well as required, as players are highly motivated, Hassan assured, wishing them Godspeed in tomorrow’s clash. Addressing the press conference, head coach of the Bahrain team, Dragan Talajic, emphasized that tomorrow’s match will be challenging because Iraq will be clashing with a powerful squad. Talajic stressed that he has tremendous hope to snag the title and reach the final, clarifying that the team is ready with preparations afoot to attain the upcoming World Cup. Expressing his respect to the Iraqi team, Talajic asserted that his team will do its best to achieve a positive result, as this tournament is pretty different from the others and Bahrain is listed in an extremely difficult group. He indicated that winning the three matches is contingent upon having ambitions to enhance luckiness in the competition, highlighting that the team has acquired a lot of expertise after playing in the most recent World Cup qualifiers.— Ends/Khalid