Football NSW congratulates Graham Arnold on induction into the NSW Hall of Champions
Football NSW proudly acknowledged Graham Arnold on his induction into the NSW Hall of Champions at the 2025 NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony, held on Monday 24 November at the Sydney Event Centre – The Star.
Football NSW nominated Graham for this honour in recognition of his extraordinary achievements as both a player and coach, and for his exceptional contribution to football in New South Wales and Australia.
Graham’s playing career spanned 14 remarkable years, during which he became the 10th highest scorer in Australian football history, with 33 goals (19 at A-level) across 88 games (56 A internationals) for the Socceroos. Between 1984 and 1990, he made 178 appearances for Sydney United and scored 67 goals, earning the NSL Player of the Year title in 1986 along with the league’s top scorer award with 17 goals. He debuted for the Socceroos in 1985 and went on to compete in the 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, as well as representing Australia at the 1988 Olympic Games. His club career took him to Belgium, Japan and the Netherlands before returning to Australia in 1998, where he joined Northern Spirit as the club’s inaugural coach, also taking the field for 28 games and scoring five goals.
Graham’s coaching career began in 2000 when he became Assistant Coach of the Socceroos, a position he held for a decade. During that time, he served as Interim Head Coach in 2007 and coached the Olyroos to qualification for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His domestic coaching success includes a combined 112 wins from 205 matches with the Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC, with whom he secured three Premierships, two Championships and an FFA Cup, along with three Coach of the Year awards.
From 2018 to 2024, Graham returned as Head Coach of the Socceroos, becoming the longest-serving coach in national team history. Under his guidance, Australia qualified for the 2006, 2010 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, and in 2022 he became the first Australian-born coach to reach the Round of 16, win multiple matches at a single FIFA World Cup and guide Australia to an 11th-place finish, the nation’s best ever. In 2020, he also coached the Olyroos to their first Olympic appearance in 12 years at the Tokyo Games.
Graham is currently Head Coach of the Iraqi National Football Team, where he stands one victory away from leading Iraq to its second-ever FIFA Men’s World Cup qualification since its historic debut in 1986.
Football NSW Chairman Gilbert Lorquet praised Graham’s induction.
“Graham Arnold’s contribution to our game is immeasurable.
“He has represented New South Wales and Australia with distinction for decades, not only as a remarkable player but as a transformative coach and leader.
“His dedication, resilience and passion have inspired countless players and coaches across our state.
“We are incredibly proud to see him honoured in the NSW Hall of Champions—an accolade he thoroughly deserves.”
The NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony is the premier celebration of sporting excellence in New South Wales, honouring the state’s most outstanding athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and teams. The event acknowledges not only high performance on the field but also leadership, dedication and positive impact across communities. This year’s ceremony also featured the elevation of netball icon Liz Ellis AO to Legend of NSW Sport, alongside the induction of several NSW sporting greats into the NSW Hall of Champions: Mo’onia Gerrard OAM (Netball), Naazmi Johnston (Gymnastics), Mark “Mono” Stewart (Adaptive Surfing) and Ricky Stuart AM (Rugby League).
Football NSW congratulates Graham Arnold on this well-deserved honour and celebrates his outstanding legacy as one of the state’s and the nation’s most influential football figures.
