René Meulensteen, the assistant manager of Iraq's national football team, has shared the remarkable story of the team's journey to their first World Cup in 40 years. The 62-year-old Dutchman, who previously worked under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, described the sacrifices made by players and staff as they navigated war zones and logistical nightmares to reach the tournament.
A Grueling Path to Qatar
Iraq's qualification campaign involved 20 matches, culminating in a decisive playoff against Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico. The team faced extraordinary challenges due to the Middle East conflict. "They had to travel from different cities to Baghdad by car or bus," Meulensteen said. "Some of those journeys took up to eight hours. Then, from Baghdad they travelled roughly 15 hours on bumpy roads to Amman, in Jordan, where occasional flights were still operating."
The squad eventually took a charter flight arranged by FIFA, but experienced a nine-hour delay, followed by an eight-hour flight to Lisbon, a two-hour stopover, and a 12-hour journey to Mexico. Despite the ordeal, Iraq defeated Bolivia 2-1 to secure their spot, with a crowd that included many local Mexicans and Iraqi expatriates from the United States.
Meulensteen noted the poetic justice of qualifying in Mexico, where Iraq played their only previous World Cup in 1986. "We told the players: 'Let's realize what kind of journey we've had to get here and perhaps the match is meant to be here,'" he recalled.
Celebrations and National Pride
Back in Baghdad, the scenes were electric. "It was absolute madness in Baghdad, where it was early in the morning," Meulensteen said, having seen videos of the celebrations. "The whole nation has been craving something to celebrate and this gives people a huge boost of energy and hope."
Iraq's qualification adds to a history of sporting achievements against the odds, including a fourth-place finish at the 2004 Olympics and winning the 2007 Asian Cup. These triumphs briefly united a country still feeling the aftereffects of the second Gulf War. "You can see that in the cities. They are recovering, but logistically and organizationally you can't compare it to Dubai or places in Saudi Arabia," Meulensteen observed.
The Team Spirit
Despite the hardships, Meulensteen enjoys the culture and camaraderie within the squad. "You should hear them on the bus to training and matches, singing and listening to music. It's absolutely brilliant," he said.
Iraq has been drawn in a tough group alongside France, Senegal, and Norway. Meulensteen likened it to "Manchester United against Grimsby," but noted that the underdogs won that cup tie last August. He and head coach Graham Arnold previously defied the odds with Australia at the last World Cup, beating Denmark and Tunisia before giving Argentina a tough match in the round of 16.
Coaching Cristiano Ronaldo
Meulensteen also reflected on his time at Manchester United, where he worked closely with Cristiano Ronaldo. He encouraged Ronaldo to focus on efficiency over flair. "I told him it's all about being as unpredictable as possible, varying your game," Meulensteen said. "What really stood out with Cristiano was his drive for perfection."
In the 2007-08 season, Meulensteen challenged Ronaldo to set a target of 40 goals after the forward had scored 23 the previous campaign. Ronaldo agreed and went on to score 42, helping United win the Premier League and Champions League. Meulensteen compiled a DVD for Ronaldo with video clips and a PowerPoint presentation on goal-setting, which the player valued.
Sir Alex Ferguson's Influence
Meulensteen retains a strong bond with Ferguson, who promoted him to first-team coach in 2008. Ferguson outlined his philosophy on three flipchart sheets, emphasizing "pace, power, penetration, and unpredictability" in attack. "When you look back, during the period when we were at our best, you could see all those elements," Meulensteen said.
The two still meet for tea regularly. "We'll sit there for an hour and a half, two hours, and the time just flies by. It's fantastic," Meulensteen said. He added that Ferguson's two most important coaching words were "well done."
Looking Ahead
Meulensteen believes Iraq's strength lies in the element of surprise. The team is a mix of players born in Iraq and those with Iraqi heritage, and not all speak Arabic. However, Meulensteen's intermediate Arabic, learned during his early coaching years in Qatar, helps bridge the gap.
As the World Cup approaches, Meulensteen hopes to add another chapter to his career. "United provided a beautiful period of my life," he said. "I hope to add another this summer."
