The Covert Agent: Iraq join the race for Graham Arnold

Iraq has emerged as the latest nation interested in Graham Arnold as his options continue to grow from his success at Sydney FC.

The Covert Agent  can reveal Iraqi representatives have made contact with Arnold, who hasn't completely dismissed the idea of taking over the Middle Eastern nation.

Arnold is one of the favourites for the vacant Socceroos job, but discussions with Football Federation Australia only started recently and the 54-year-old is keeping his options open.

It is likely he would accept an offer to take Australia to the upcoming World Cup, but he is believed to prefer a tenure starting after Russia.

It is understood Arnold is also seriously considering taking over the New Zealand national team role, because it's likely he would be able to combine the role with the Sky Blues job and continue his work at Allianz Stadium.

Arnold revealed on Friday it wasn't only New Zealand interested in his services, but multiple foreign teams has made contact because of his performance at Sydney FC.

The Sky Blues won the A-League premiership and championship last season, and hold a five-point lead on top of the current ladder, having only lost one game this campaign.

"When you're winning and you get success you get a lot of interest," Arnold told Fairfax.

"I can say that's not the only one interested at the moment. I've had a fair bit of interest around the world.

"I'm like a player, players that are doing well and players that get success, they get interest and I'm no different."

The Socceroos remain coach-less five months out from the World Cup, with the FFA stating a decision will be made on a new boss in mid-February.

A new manager will have two March friendlies, against Norway and Colombia, and one-to-two warm up matches in the weeks before World Cup to get used to the current squad.

Australia has been drawn in group C alongside France, Peru and Denmark.