Iraq Football Association announced the firing of head coach Jesus Casas due to breaches of contractual obligations, including leaving Iraq without permission during the Asian qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The decision was made under FIFA Regulations Article 14, allowing termination for just cause. Casas, a former assistant with the Spain national team, was appointed in November 2022 but was dismissed in March following disappointing World Cup qualification results against lower-ranked teams in Group B.
Iraq currently sits in third place in the group behind South Korea and Jordan, needing wins in the remaining games to secure a spot in the World Cup. If Iraq finishes third or fourth, they will compete in additional international qualification rounds for a chance to secure one of the remaining World Cup places. The top two teams from each of the three groups in the Asian qualification progress directly to the 2026 World Cup.