Former Morocco coach Walid Regragui emerges as candidate for Iraq job

Former Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has reportedly emerged as the leading candidate to take charge of Iraq amid uncertainty about the future of Graham Arnold.

Iraqi football authorities are expected to make a final decision on Arnold’s future in the coming days, with his current deal set to expire at the end of July. While discussions over a new contract remain ongoing, Regragui has been identified as the preferred alternative should negotiations collapse.

According to Iraq’s Fourth Sports Channel, the Iraqi Football Association views the Moroccan tactician as its first-choice candidate because of his wealth of international coaching experience and his remarkable achievements on the global stage.

Regragui’s reputation soared after guiding Morocco to a historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, making the Atlas Lions the first African and Arab nation to reach the tournament’s semi-finals. That achievement established him as one of the continent’s most sought-after coaches.

Despite the growing speculation surrounding Regragui, the Iraqi Football Association is currently focused on resolving Arnold’s future before making any formal approach to another manager.

The federation is continuing discussions with the Australian coach and his representatives in an effort to secure his services beyond July. Arnold has earned widespread praise after leading Iraq to qualification for the FIFA World Cup following his appointment in May 2025.

To oversee the negotiations, the Iraqi Football Association has established a special committee headed by former captain Younis Mahmoud, with vice presidents Sarmad Abdul-Ilah and Mohammed Nasser also playing key roles in the talks. The committee has been tasked with concluding discussions before Arnold’s contract expires on July 31.

Regragui has been without a coaching role since leaving the Moroccan national team in March after a highly successful spell in charge. In addition to his World Cup heroics, he oversaw Morocco’s campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations before bringing his tenure to an end.

Although his name continues to dominate discussions in Iraqi football circles, reports indicate that no official negotiations have yet taken place between Regragui and the Iraqi Football Association.

For now, the Moroccan remains on standby as Iraq prioritises reaching an agreement with Arnold. Should those talks fail, Regragui is expected to become the federation’s primary target as the Lions of Mesopotamia prepare for their return to the FIFA World Cup.