The three teams will play each other in Jeddah in October, with the winner of the group advancing directly to the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Australian Arnold, who replaced Jesus Casas in May, is hoping to steer Iraq to the FIFA World Cup for the second time after it made its debut at Mexico 1986.

"I have extensive experience working against both the Saudi and Indonesian national teams. I know their strengths, but I also know their weaknesses," the former Socceroos boss said.

"But we are Iraq, an extremely proud nation with a higher FIFA ranking than both Saudi and Indonesia and we need to prove that."

Arguably Arnold's best achievement as a coach came at previous FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, when he guided Australia to the Round of 16, where eventual champion Argentina put an end to the Socceroos' run.

The 61-year-old resigned as Australia coach in September last year after a 0-0 draw with Indonesia in Jakarta.

Arnold faced Saudi Arabia most recently in March 2022, when Australia lost 1-0 in a qualifier at the same King Abdullah Sports City Stadium where his Iraq team will face the Green Falcons on 15 October (AEST).

Australia overcame a poor start under Arnold to book its spot at the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup with Tony Popovic now in charge.

Regional heavyweights Japan, Korea Republic and Iran have also secured their spots, alongside first-time qualifiers Uzbekistan and Jordan.

"Having the belief in the players as I do, when we reach the crucial play-off matches in October, they will be in peak form, both physically and mentally ready to win," Arnold said.

"I firmly believe this is our time and we will fight with everything we have to make the dream of millions of Iraqis come true."

The group runner-up will progress to a play-off for a berth in a series of intercontinental match-ups in March, something Arnold ismore than familiar with as an Australian should it come to that.