Iraq’s national football team is searching for a new head coach after the sudden departure of Spaniard Jesús Casas. The Iraqi Football Association (IFA) announced on Monday, July 15, 2024, that Casas’s contract has been terminated due to a “fundamental breach” of its terms.
The decision came as a surprise, ending Casas’s tenure just weeks before the team was set to begin its final round of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Under his leadership, Iraq had shown promising form, notably winning the 2023 Gulf Cup and securing a strong position in the second round of World Cup qualifying.
According to the IFA’s official statement, the breach centers on Casas’s failure to obtain prior written approval for external commercial and media activities. The association stated it had sent multiple written warnings to the coach, which were not heeded, leaving them with “no other option” but to terminate the agreement.
“The Iraqi Football Association confirms that the contract with national team coach Jesús Casas has been terminated due to a fundamental breach of the contract terms,” the statement read. It clarified that the breach was not related to the coach’s technical performance or the team’s results.
Casas, who took charge in late 2022, had reportedly been seeking a contract extension and a salary increase following the team’s successes. However, negotiations stalled. The IFA emphasized that all its decisions were made “in accordance with the law and the contract,” aiming to protect its rights and maintain professional standards.
The search for a replacement is now urgent, with Iraq’s next World Cup qualifier against Oman scheduled for September 5, 2024. The new coach will have limited time to prepare the squad for the crucial eight-match slate in the third round, where they will face Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, and Indonesia for a spot at the 2026 finals.
