The Iraqi national team is close to securing the signature of renowned Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta to lead the Lions of Mesopotamia, succeeding the dismissed coach Jesus Casas.
Ammouta is currently coaching Al Jazira, and led the team to the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup title on Saturday. His contract with the Emirati club still extends until the summer of 2027.
However, according to Emirati media reports, Al Jazira’s management does not object to Ammouta leaving to coach Iraq, especially since the coach has not performed as expected, particularly in the league.
Concerning Iraq, negotiations between the federation, headed by Adnan Dirjal, and Ammouta have reached advanced stages, and there is a near-agreement between the two parties on all details.
Ammouta has extensive experience in Asian football, having previously led the Jordanian national team to the final of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.
Iraq is looking for a coach with the necessary experience ahead of the next crucial round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which the Lions of Mesopotamia need to win to qualify directly for the tournament.
Iraq is currently third in its group behind South Korea and Jordan, and Amouta’s first match with the venerable national team will be against South Korea in Baghdad, followed by Jordan in Amman during the June break.
