Late squad changes matter because they eat into routine as much as they alter selection.
That timing is the key point. A manager wants the first days of camp to settle roles, shape and partnerships. Instead, Arnold now appears to be using that window to integrate a replacement and rebalance the group.
The update says the call was made after a medical report was presented to the coaching staff. That is usually the clearest trigger for quick action before a major tournament: once availability becomes doubtful, hesitation can cost a team rhythm and clarity.
For Makenzie, the challenge is immediate. He is not just joining a squad; he is joining one on the move, in a new environment, with the tournament close. The upside for Iraq is that a clean, early decision is often better than carrying uncertainty deep into camp.
The report also says Iraq are returning to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years, which gives this episode extra weight. Every selection call carries more scrutiny when a team is back on the biggest stage after such a long gap.
And the task ahead appears steep. Iraq are said to be in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway - the sort of group that leaves little room for disruption and demands a settled plan quickly.
The next storyline is clear: how fast Makenzie beds in during the Chicago camp, and whether Iraq can turn an unwanted late change into a smoother, sharper start when their tournament opener arrives.