Iraq’s path to their first World Cup finals in four decades has been marked by extraordinary challenges that no other team has faced. After enduring 20 qualifying matches, they found themselves in a crucial playoff in Monterrey, Mexico. However, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East closed airspace, complicating travel for several players and staff members.
“They had to make long trips by car or bus to Baghdad from various cities,” explains René Meulensteen, assistant to head coach Graham Arnold. “Some of these journeys lasted up to eight hours. After reaching Baghdad, they embarked on a grueling 15-hour drive on rough roads to Amman, Jordan, where limited flights were still available. Other Asian-based players arranged their own travel to Amman to join the group.”
FIFA had organized a private charter for the team, but they encountered a nine-hour delay before embarking on an eight-hour flight to Lisbon, followed by a two-hour layover and a subsequent 12-hour flight to Mexico.
Despite the less-than-ideal preparations, Meulensteen, who previously coached at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, described the match as “the most significant game of their lives.” The team managed to arrive in time for recovery and triumphed over Bolivia with a score of 2-1, securing their spot in the tournament amidst a crowd that strongly supported them.
“All the remaining tickets were distributed to local Mexicans, which resulted in a large turnout alongside a significant number of Iraqis residing in the U.S.,” Meulensteen notes.
The setting brought a sense of nostalgia. “We reminded the players: ‘Let’s acknowledge the journey we’ve undertaken to be here, and perhaps this match is destined to take place here, as Iraq’s last participation in the World Cup was also in Mexico.’”
Back home, the atmosphere was electric. “It was sheer chaos in Baghdad during the early morning hours,” Meulensteen recalls, having seen videos of the celebrations. “The entire nation has been yearning for something to rejoice over, and this achievement has provided a tremendous boost of energy and hope. The pride felt is genuine; there’s a palpable sense of joy.”
This qualification adds to Iraq’s notable successes, including a fourth-place finish at the 2004 Olympics, where they defeated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, as well as winning the Asian Cup in 2007. That victory briefly united a country embroiled in civil strife, reminiscent of their World Cup and Olympic milestones which also unfolded in turbulent contexts.
“Iraq remains a nation grappling with the aftermath of the second Gulf War,” Meulensteen states. “You can observe this in the cities. They are in recovery, but the logistical and organizational conditions are far from comparable to those in Dubai or Saudi Arabia.”
At 62 years old, Meulensteen enjoys both the culture and the team dynamic. “You should hear them as they travel to training and matches, singing and enjoying music. It’s absolutely fantastic.”
In the World Cup, Iraq has been placed in a daunting group alongside France, Senegal, and Norway. “It feels like Manchester United facing Grimsby,” he comments, alluding to an upset last August where the underdogs won, and he too aims to defy expectations, similar to his experience with Arnold in Australia during the last World Cup.
“We were up against France, Denmark, and Tunisia in our group, and few believed we could advance,” he reflects. “But that’s where our greatest advantage lies: the element of surprise.” Australia managed to defeat Denmark and Tunisia and put up a strong fight against Argentina in the round of 16.
The Iraqi squad comprises players born in Iraq and others of Iraqi descent. While not all players speak Arabic, Meulensteen has an intermediate proficiency, acquired during his coaching tenure in Qatar. His move to Qatar in 1993 required him to marry his girlfriend, as cohabitation outside marriage was prohibited.
Meulensteen joined Manchester United eight years later, thanks to a recommendation from academy director Lee Kershaw and Dave Mackay, who had met him while coaching Qatar’s under-17 team. He began in the academy before focusing on one-on-one training with first-team players. His role intensified in 2007 after a brief stint as head coach at Brøndby, during which he worked closely with Ronaldo. “I conducted several training sessions with him, both on and off the pitch, utilizing videos to illustrate specific concepts. We concentrated on crucial aspects of finishing, breaking down the penalty area into zones to enhance his awareness of positioning, the types of crosses to expect, and the optimal finishing technique for each scenario.”
More broadly, he encouraged Ronaldo to prioritize efficiency over flair. “I advised him that unpredictability is key, varying his game … over the years, he mastered that skill remarkably well.”
“Cristiano’s relentless pursuit of perfection truly stood out. Even at Carrington, we had a fenced area with rebound boards. After training, he often spent an additional 10 to 15 minutes working there alone. I also introduced him to drills using those boards to enhance ball handling in creative ways. He absolutely thrived on that.”
“All the training we conducted that season, alongside our discussions, I compiled into a DVD for him. It was essentially a PowerPoint presentation with video clips, where I also emphasized the significance of goal-setting, illustrating that individuals with clear objectives tend to achieve more than those without.”
At the beginning of the 2007-08 season, Meulensteen inquired about Ronaldo’s goals after he netted 23 the previous year. Ronaldo expressed a desire for 30. “What about 40?” Meulensteen countered, to which Ronaldo agreed, ultimately scoring 42 goals as United clinched both the Premier League and Champions League titles.
In the summer of 2008, Meulensteen was elevated to first-team coach, tasked with devising and overseeing training sessions. “Sir Alex laid out his vision for Manchester United’s style of play across three flipchart sheets, which became the blueprint for structuring all training sessions.”
“It included principles for both defensive strategies and offensive tactics. However, he emphasized that the final sheet was the most crucial, as it encapsulated Manchester United’s essence. He insisted: ‘When we attack, I want to do so with pace, power, penetration, and unpredictability. I expect you to incorporate those four elements into every training session in some manner.’ Reflecting on our peak years, you could see those characteristics in our play.”
After departing from United in 2013, Meulensteen’s career included a stint at Fulham and engagements in the U.S., Israel, and India, eventually aiding Australia in reaching the World Cup finals. He gained invaluable insights that have enriched his coaching, particularly in helping players navigate self-doubt.
“When players experience fear, I encourage them to visualize it. What does that fear look like? It might stem from the anxiety of losing a match. While you cannot control everything that crosses your mind, such as external influences, I prompt them to concentrate on their aspirations—like performing well, scoring goals, or achieving World Cup qualification.”
In his interactions with players, he advises them to “add” to their game rather than alter it. Ferguson placed significant emphasis on the power of words. “He consistently asserted that the two most critical coaching phrases are: well done,” Meulensteen recalls. As training sessions neared their conclusion, Ferguson would often pass by, tap Meulensteen on the shoulder, and offer that same compliment.
The two forged a strong connection. “He is an exceptional storyteller with a wide range of interests. He reads extensively and possesses profound knowledge about politics and history, particularly the American Civil War. He is incredibly well-informed about films, actors, and so forth.”
“While traveling to away games at United, we often played ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ on my iPad. The number of times we reached the end is astonishing. He possessed knowledge I would never have imagined.”
Occasionally, they reunite over tea. “We’ll spend an hour and a half or two, and time just flies. It’s wonderful.” Meulensteen reflects fondly on his time at United, describing it as a “beautiful period” in his life, hoping to create another chapter this summer.
