YASER Kasim has signalled he would like to exit the County Ground after failing to get into the Championship with Swindon Town.

Speaking after Iraq’s 4-0 defeat to Japan in Tokyo today, where Kasim made a second-half appearance as a substitute, the midfielder made it clear he sees his future away from Swindon.

Kasim, who has a year left on his deal at Swindon, reportedly had offers to leave after the Asian Cup earlier this year, with a club in the Gulf interested in his services.

Now he has revealed he is after a new challenge, but wants to continue his career in Europe.

"I wanted to go to the Championship with them (Swindon) but I couldn't," Kasim told Kyodo News today.

"I think this year, I have to have a new challenge. I would love to take Swindon up, but it's been two good years and I think I need another challenge."

"I'm open to offers from Europe. I'll definitely stay in Europe, but it depends on what comes and how well it's negotiated between the two clubs. But I'm looking to step up - in any country - and I'm looking to go to the next level."

Kasim's midfield colleagues Massimo Luongo and Ben Gladwin were sold to Queen's Park Rangers last month while senior players such as goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and Andy Williams were among those released by Town.

Ex-Arsenal teenager Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill has become the first through the 'in' door at the County Ground after revealing to the Swindon Advertiser today that he had signed a two-year contract.

Meanwhile, Kasim was also pessimistic about his country's chances of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, citing behind-the-scenes chaos, after the side's thumping in Japan.

"In our condition right now, we're not going to get to where we want," he said. "We can forget about the World Cup -- and I'm not blaming the players."

"There's a lot of issues off the field we have to sort out. I think some people need to start working towards the team more, the players more.

"At this rate, things do not bode well. We did all right at the Asian Cup. We were lucky to have a very good manager with a game plan but looking into the future, it seems a little bit thin."

"It's more of us. I've got to say it's us because the game plan wasn't as good and it didn't work out as well as it did in the Asian Cup.

"Today we weren't comfortable because we knew if they played anywhere near the way they played in the Asian Cup, we wouldn't be able to deal with it."