Iraq coach shielding players from war ahead of World Cup bid

MONTERREY, MAR 31: Iraq coach Graham Arnold said Monday he is trying to shield his squad from news of the war in the Middle East as they prepare for a crunch 2026 World Cup playoff against Bolivia.

Arnold's Iraq-based players were forced to train and travel under the shadow of conflict embroiling the region, and arrived in Mexico after a gruelling journey that involved overland travel to Jordan.

However Arnold is determined not to let the troubled build-up distract his team as they bid to secure Iraq's first appearance at the World Cup since the 1986 finals in Mexico.

"Representing 46 million people is a unique experience," Arnold told reporters in Monterrey on Monday. "A major part of my job has focused on the mental aspect.

"The players need to concentrate on themselves -- thinking of their families and a few close friends -- rather than the entire country; otherwise, the pressure becomes too great," the 62-year-old Australian added.Iraq's preparations for Tuesday's intercontinental playoff have been heavily disrupted over the past month by the war in the Middle East - a conflict involving Israel and the United States against Iran - whose shockwaves have rippled across the region.    �"AFP