Friday, March 29

Iraq hosts the 2023 Gulf Cup of Nations in Football

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The 25th Arab Football Championship (Gulf Cup of Nations) started on Friday evening, January 6, at the Basra International Stadium and will last until January 19.

The opening ceremony of the tournament featured light shows telling about the history and heritage of Basra and Iraq, in addition to mixed actions and the display of flags of the participating countries. The ceremony also touched upon the cohesion between the countries of the Persian Gulf and their common history.
The ceremony began with the “Operetta of the Persian Gulf”, which was performed by several Iraqi singers, followed by performances by the duet of Iraqi Hussam Al Rassam and Rahma Riad.

At the end of the ceremony, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani welcomed the guests of the tournament and announced the start of the tournament.

The 2023 Gulf Cup of Nations was the first major football tournament held in Iraq in 40 years. The eight national teams competing for the Gulf 25 title were divided into two groups: the first includes Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen, and the second group includes Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait.

The Iraqi authorities announced that fans who came to the competition will not have to pay a visa fee. The country hopes to attract football fans from all over the region, including Kuwait, whose border with Iraq runs less than 50 km from Basra.

Iraq hosted the Gulf Cup of Nations for the first time in Baghdad in 1979. He won the tournament that year. The country was supposed to host the 2014 Cup, but it was moved to Saudi Arabia.

Source: https://www.gulf-times.com/article/652801/sport/exciting-opening-of-arabian-gulf-football-cup-in-basra

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