Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Caracas: The United States attacks another alleged drug-trafficking ship off the coast of Colombia in the Pacific Ocean
Palestinian official urges world to force 'Israel' to comply with ICJ ruling: AFP
Israeli media says Knesset approved bill to annex in West Bank in preliminary reading
Kremlin: As part of strategic nuclear force exercise, Cruiser Bryansk launched Sineva ballistic missile from Barents Sea.
Kremlin: Yars Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome at Kura test site in Kamchatka.
Kremlin: Strategic nuclear forces exercise took place under Putin's leadership.
Lebanese MP Imad Al-Hout, following his meeting with the Grand Mufti of the Republic: Lebanon is the last country to move toward peace and normalization [with "Israel"]
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One martyr reported in Israeli drone strike targeting motorcycle in Ain Qana.
Israeli media: Sirens sound in Nahal Oz settlement in Gaza Envelope.
Syria: Local sources report that General Security forces targeted the camp of French fighters from the 'al-Ghuraba division' in the Idlib countryside with mortar and tank shells.

25th Gulf Cup breaks Iraq's long-standing sports ban

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen Net
  • 6 Jan 2023 15:44
3 Min Read

After three decades, Iraq hosts the first continental championship, breaking a long-standing ban.

  • x
  • A newly built stadium that will host Arab Gulf Cup is see in Basra, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)
    A newly built stadium that will host Arab Gulf Cup is seen in Basra, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP)

The 25th Gulf Cup begins on Friday in Iraq, with eight national teams competing for the championship.

The games will be held at two different locations: Basra International Stadium and Al-Minaa Olympic Stadium. The action will begin on January 6 with the host nation taking on Oman and conclude on January 19 with the final.

The Gulf Championship will be an exceptional event for Mesopotamia, whose stadiums will host the first continental championship since 1990, breaking a long-standing ban.

The end of the twentieth century marked an important moment in Iraqi history, most notably in political terms, which had an impact on the Iraqi sports scene.

After the invasion sparked by the "Ba'athist regime", which was in control of the government in Iraq at the time, Iraqi football was banned from holding international matches on its soil.

Read next: Palestine: The World Cup's 33rd team, biggest winner

Related News

GCC leaders meet in Doha after Israeli attack, eye joint defense

GCC denounces Israeli attacks on Syria 'clear violation' of intl. law

The first ban came after the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) decided to prohibit matches from taking place, due to the country's security situation. The ban on Iraqi football lasted until the US invasion of Mesopotamia in 2003.

Despite the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime at the time, the ban on Iraqi football continued for "security reasons", and with some exceptions during the past years, such as Basra stadiums hosting a number of matches. The ban returned again due to the deterioration of the security situation and the war on ISIS.

The deterioration of Iraq's security situation was not the only reason for the ban; mismanagement and poor equipment of the facilities available at the time were also factors in the ban's continuation.

Confirmation of security stability, logistical readiness

The "Gulf 25" championship is crucial, as it confirms to FIFA and the world's football federations Iraq's security stability and logistical readiness to host tournaments and important matches.

As the media director of the "Gulf 25" tournament and a member of the Iraqi Football Association, Ahmed Al-Moussawi, told the Iraqi News Agency, "invitations were made by the Prime Minister to the heads of state and prime ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Yemen."

After hearing and reading a lot about the security conditions and infrastructure that prevented it from hosting major tournaments and matches, this tournament repaints the picture the world has of Iraq's security and stability.

Another important aspect of the tournament is the economic aspect, as the tournament's success in terms of organizational stability, coupled with security stability, will allow Iraq to consolidate its relations with GCC countries through economic investments that will reopen Iraq's doors to its Gulf neighbors and even from outside the Gulf.

Read next: Algeria's coach: We dedicate the Arab Cup to Palestine and Gazans

  • Gulf Cooperation Council
  • Gulf Championship
  • GCC
  • Iraq
  • 25th Gulf Cup
  • Basra

Most Read

Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
Smoke and fire rises after 'Israel' launched airstrikes on the village of Ansar, Lebanon, October 16, 2025 (social media)

'Israel' launches two waves of brutal strikes on east, south Lebanon

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
A woman with her purchased groceries walks out from an underground market, in Beijing, Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Global brands in China face pressure from rising local rivals

  • Economy
  • 17 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Nearly half of attacks in occupied al-Quds target Armenian Christians
Politics

Nearly half of attacks in occupied al-Quds target Armenian Christians

Greece rocked by EU farm subsidy scandal as dozens arrested
Economy

Greece rocked by EU farm subsidy scandal as dozens arrested

Netherlands holds talks with China after Beijing curbs Nexperia export.
Technology

Netherlands holds talks with China after Nexperia export's curb

Trump said to demand DOJ pay him $230 million for past cases: NYT
Politics

Trump said to demand DOJ pay him $230 mln for past cases: NYT

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS