But the former Socceroos boss isn't content with the outpouring of joy brought by delivering the country's first World Cup berth since 1986.
Arnold, who will become the first Australian to coach two teams at the men's World Cup, wants Iraq to shock the world - starting with Group I opponents Norway, France and Senegal.
Ahead of Tuesday's (Wednesday AEST) opening game against Norway in Foxborough, Arnold reflected fondly on the Iraqi fans who had popped up around the team hotel.
"Everywhere we go, the Iraqi fans have been there, and they're so grateful for qualifying," Arnold said.
"But qualification is not enough. I want more."
Iraq played 21 qualifying matches in taking the long road through Asian Football Confederation play-offs, then the intercontinental play-off against Bolivia.
They also dealt with air closures amid conflict in the Middle East - including Arnold being stuck in Dubai - that made them concerned they wouldn't even make it to Mexico for that intercontinental decider.
"There's been a hell of a lot of travel the players have gone through," Arnold said.
"There's been a lot of pressure on their shoulders from 46 million obsessed football fans - because that's what Iraq is.
"They are obsessed with football more than any nation nearly that I've ever been to, and they're all obviously right behind their national teams.
"So it's been a tough 12 months since I've been in the job, but I'm very, very proud of the boys that we got here, but not just getting here is enough.
"They obviously had a good celebration for the qualification ... but for me straight after the game it was, 'OK, well, congratulations, we qualified, but now we've got to go to the World Cup and perform to our best and try to shock the world'."
Before fronting the media, Arnold marched into the team's dining room holding a cake and flowers.
To his side's delight, he presented them to defender Frans Putros, who was celebrating the birth of his son - which he missed due to being in camp.
It provided a poignant reminder of Arnold's closeness with this group.
"It's been a great journey," Arnold said.
"From the day I took over, I've enjoyed every minute of it, and obviously qualifying for the first time in 40 years is a huge moment for me, but it also makes me very, very proud of the players.
"They've made 45-46 million Iraqis in Iraq very proud. I know there's a lot of Iraqis outside of Iraq as well that we've made very proud,
"So we've only got everything to win, not to lose."
That approach continues against Norway and their "outstanding" striker, Manchester City's Erling Haaland.
"We've got to back ourselves and what we can't do is be scared to go on the field and play against these guys," Arnold said.
"They've got to be excited and go out there and be prepared for the one-v-one fight.
"And if there's one thing Iraqis do have, they've got a great fighting spirit."
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