The path taken by Iraq to reach their first World Cup finals in four decades was fraught with challenges that no other team could match. After 20 qualifiers, the squad faced a critical playoff in Monterrey, Mexico. Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and closed airspace, several team members and staff encountered significant obstacles to make the trip.
“They had to travel from different cities to Baghdad by car or bus,” explains René Meulensteen, who serves as the assistant to Iraq’s head coach, Graham Arnold. “Some of those journeys took as long as eight hours. From Baghdad, they endured approximately 15 hours over rough roads to reach Amman, Jordan, where a few flights were still operating. The other players based in Asia made their own way to Amman so they could travel together.”
FIFA had organized a private charter for the team, but they faced a nine-hour delay. What followed was an eight-hour flight to Lisbon, a two-hour layover, and then a grueling 12-hour journey to Mexico.
This hardly constituted ideal preparation for what Meulensteen, a former Manchester United coach under Alex Ferguson, called “the most significant game in their lives.” However, the team arrived with enough time to recover and managed to defeat Bolivia 2-1, securing the final spot in the tournament before a crowd filled with supporters of Iraq.
“All the remaining tickets went to local Mexicans, resulting in a substantial turnout, alongside many Iraqis living in the US,” notes Meulensteen.
The location was particularly poignant. “We told the players: ‘Let’s appreciate the journey we have taken to reach here, and perhaps this match is destined to be played in Mexico, as Iraq’s last World Cup participation also took place here,’” he adds.
Back in Iraq, the atmosphere was electric. “It was pure chaos in Baghdad, where it was early morning,” says Meulensteen, who received videos of the celebrations. “The entire nation has been longing for something to celebrate, and this provides a tremendous boost of energy and hope. You can truly sense the pride; there’s a genuine feel-good factor.”
The team’s qualification builds upon their past accomplishments, including a fourth-place finish at the 2004 Olympics, where they triumphed over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, and winning the 2007 Asian Cup. That victory briefly united a nation torn apart by civil war, echoing the challenges faced during the 1986 World Cup and 2004 milestones.
“Iraq is still a nation grappling with the aftermath of the second Gulf War,” Meulensteen observes. “You can see the signs in the cities. They are making progress, but logistically and organizationally, it cannot compare to Dubai or regions in Saudi Arabia.”
At 62, Meulensteen enjoys both the culture and the team dynamic. “You should hear them on the bus to training and matches, singing and listening to music. It’s absolutely fantastic.”
However, Iraq finds itself in what many consider the toughest group, alongside France, Senegal, and Norway. “It’s like Manchester United facing Grimsby,” he remarks, recalling how the underdogs won that match last August. The Dutchman aims to defy expectations, much like he and Arnold did with Australia in the last World Cup.
“We were placed with France, Denmark, and Tunisia and were not given much hope of advancing either,” he reflects. “But that’s where our greatest strength lies: the element of surprise.” Australia managed to defeat Denmark and Tunisia while giving eventual champions Argentina a challenging match in the round of 16.
The Iraqi team comprises players born in the country and others of Iraqi descent. Not all communicate in Arabic, but Meulensteen has picked up some proficiency after coaching in Qatar. To make that move in 1993, he married his girlfriend, as living together out of wedlock was not permissible.
Meulensteen joined Manchester United eight years later, thanks to the academy director, Lee Kershaw, and a recommendation from Dave Mackay, who had met him while managing Qatar’s under-17 team. He began in the academy before working individually with first-team players. This role intensified in 2007 following a brief stint as head coach at Brøndby, where he worked closely with Ronaldo. “I conducted several training sessions with him, both on and off the field, utilizing videos to highlight specific areas of improvement. We concentrated on crucial finishing aspects, dividing the penalty area into zones to enhance his positioning awareness, the types of crosses received, and the most effective finishing methods for each scenario.”
Meulensteen also encouraged Ronaldo to shift his focus from flair to efficiency. “I advised him that it’s vital to be as unpredictable as possible, varying his play … over the years, he mastered that perfectly.”
“What truly distinguished Cristiano was his relentless pursuit of perfection. That drive remains evident. At Carrington, we had a fenced area with rebound boards. After training, he would often spend an additional 10 or 15 minutes practicing there alone. I also introduced him to exercises with those boards to manipulate the ball creatively. He absolutely loved it.”
“All the work we did that season — on the field and our discussions — I compiled into a DVD for him. It was essentially a PowerPoint presentation with video clips, where I also emphasized the importance of goal-setting, explaining that individuals with clear targets tend to be far more successful than those without.”
At the beginning of the 2007-08 season, Meulensteen asked Ronaldo about his target after scoring 23 goals the previous year. Ronaldo stated he aimed for 30. “What about 40?” Meulensteen suggested. Ronaldo accepted the challenge and scored 42 goals as United claimed both the Premier League and Champions League titles.
In the summer of 2008, Meulensteen was elevated to first-team coach, tasked with designing and leading training sessions. “Sir Alex basically outlined his vision for how he wanted Manchester United to play on three flipchart sheets. That became our guiding framework for all training sessions.”
“It encompassed principles for both defense and possession. However, he emphasized that the final sheet was the most crucial, as it defined the essence of Manchester United. He stated, ‘When we attack, I want to do so with pace, power, penetration, and unpredictability. I want you to incorporate those four elements into every training session in some way.’ Reflecting on our peak periods, those elements were clearly evident.”
After departing United in 2013, Meulensteen’s career included a stint at Fulham and roles across the US, Israel, and India, culminating in assisting Australia in reaching the World Cup finals. He gained invaluable insights that have proven beneficial in his coaching, particularly in helping players manage self-doubt.
“When they experience fear, I ask them to visualize it. What precisely is that fear? It may stem from the consequences of losing a match. While you cannot control every thought that enters your mind, I urge them to concentrate on their desires — such as performing well, scoring a goal, or qualifying for the World Cup.”
In working with players, he encourages them to “add” elements to their game rather than change anything. Ferguson also placed significant value on the power of words. “He always emphasized that the two most important coaching phrases are: well done,” Meulensteen recalls. As training sessions approached their conclusion, Ferguson would often pass by, tap Meulensteen on the shoulder, and offer that very compliment.
The bond between them strengthened over time. “He is an excellent storyteller with diverse interests. He reads extensively and possesses a profound understanding of politics and history. He is particularly fascinated by the American Civil War and knows a great deal about it, as well as movies, actors, and actresses — you name it. He is incredibly well-rounded.”
“At United, during bus or train journeys to away games, we frequently 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 have never imagined.”
From time to time, they catch up over a cup of tea. “We’ll sit for an hour and a half, two hours, and the time simply vanishes. It’s incredible.” Meulensteen reflects on his time at United as a “beautiful period” in his life, hoping to create another memorable chapter this summer.
