Hervé Renard addresses the media.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 13: Australian Graham Arnold, head coach of the Iraq national football team, stirred the pot by claiming that Saudi Arabia will face greater pressure ahead of today’s decisive Asian World Cup qualifying playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

At a press conference yesterday, Arnold stated:

"I think the pressure will be heavier on Saudi Arabia. They have two ways to qualify: a draw or a win, and that’s what they are thinking about. We are only focused on winning, and we have already secured a spot in the global playoff. About 90% of the stadium will be Saudi fans today, and the pressure is enormous—from the Saudi media and even FIFA."

When asked about his comment regarding "pressure from FIFA," Arnold explained that, in his view, Saudi Arabia is under scrutiny from all sides. He added:

"We are relaxed and happy; we feel no pressure. All the pressure is on Saudi Arabia."

Responding to Arnold’s remarks, French coach Hervé Renard described the upcoming match as one of the most important in his career, stressing the need for focus to secure World Cup qualification. Renard said:

"The match is still more than 24 hours away, but it is one of the most important games for me. We must stay focused on our goal, which is to qualify for the World Cup."

The match kicks off today at Al-Inma Stadium, with Saudi Arabia needing a win or a draw to advance, while Iraq must win to secure a spot in the World Cup finals.