Sydney’s Iraqi community have welcomed former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold home in style after he led the Iraqi men’s team to the FIFA World Cup.
Arriving at Sydney Airport, Arnold was surrounded by hundreds of Iraqi football fans who waved flags and cheered, celebrating Iraq’s first appearance at the World Cup in 40 years.
“I didn’t expect this here in Australia, obviously in Iraq, but it’s incredible … I’m just very, very proud of the players and what they did,” he said.
The last and until now, only, time Iraq was in the World Cup was in Mexico in 1986.
SBS News is Australia’s trusted news source for the latest news from Australia and across the world.
Subscribe to the SBS News YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SBSNews
Follow SBS News on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbsnews_au
Follow SBS News on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbsnews_au
Follow SBS News on X: https://www.twitter.com/SBSNews
Follow SBS News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sbsnews
Apple News: https://trib.al/MTx0gUe
For the latest news, visit www.sbs.com.au/news
Network Terms & Conditions: https://sbs.com.au/terms
Privacy Policy: https://sbs.com.au/privacy
Feedback or complaints: https://sbs.com.au/complaints
