Iraq have everything to gain, will try to shock the world says coach Arnold

Iraq's national football team coach Graham Arnold believes his squad is prepared to cause upsets at the World Cup, despite the team's underdog status. Having qualified for the tournament for the first time in 40 years, Arnold emphasized that reaching the finals is not the ultimate goal.

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We have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

"We have everything to gain and nothing to lose," Arnold told reporters. He pointed to the team's arduous journey through 21 qualifying matches, including playoff victories, as evidence of their resilience and readiness for intense competition. "The boys have been through a lot of playoffs, a lot of pressure games," he said.

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The boys have been through a lot of playoffs, a lot of pressure games.

Arnold noted that his players have been inspired by strong performances from other smaller nations in the tournament, such as Cape Verde's draw with Spain. He wants his team to believe in themselves and aim for more than just participation. Iraq has a history of losing all its group games in its only previous World Cup appearance in 1986.

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Qualification is not enough. I want more.

"Qualification is not enough. I want more," Arnold declared. He expressed confidence that the team, battle-hardened by their qualifying campaign, is ready to "shock the world" when they face Norway in their opening Group I match.

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try to shock the world.