January 20 – Hosts Iraq received the Arab Gulf Cup for the primary time since 1988 on Thursday with a 3-2 victory over Oman however the triumph was marred by a lethal stampede outdoors the Basra Worldwide Stadium.

As followers tried to get into the stadium hours earlier than kick off, a crush killed at the very least two folks and injured dozens of others, in response to well being officers.

It was a critical blow for organizers of the primary worldwide match staged in Iraq since 1979 and will have critical repercussions when it comes to internet hosting 2026 World Cup qualifiers .

Resulting from safety issues, Iraq has staged solely two qualifiers since 2003. All different aggressive video games involving the nationwide crew have been performed in neighbouring nations corresponding to Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The eight-nation Gulf Cup kicked off on January 6 with war-torn Iraq  hoping the match would enhance its picture.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was in attendance when it started and stated on the time: “I’m so completely satisfied that aggressive soccer has lastly returned to Iraq, an actual football-loving nation, much more so with such a prestigious match.”

Nevertheless it now stays to be seen whether or not the stampede impacts any choice that FIFA makes on World Cup qualifiers that begin in Asia in October.

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