Iraq wins Gulf Cup in Basra

The Word | Jan. 19, 2023

Iraq has won the Arabian Gulf Cup following a tight final match against Oman that went into overtime.

The host country snagged a 3-2 win after reclaiming the lead at minute 120.

Iraq hosted this year’s tournament in Basra for the first time since 1979. It was banned from the Gulf cup from 1992, following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, until 2004, just after the US invasion of Iraq. Iraq has now won the cup four times and finished in second twice.

This year’s tournament sparked excitement across the country, with thousands traveling to the southern city to attend the games. Prior to the US invasion and ISIS occupation, Basra had been home to dense populations of Assyrians. Many of those communities migrated to Northern Iraq following the invasion in 2023. Basra was among cities ravaged by ISIS during its occupation beginning in 2014.

As of Thursday, at least four have been reported dead and dozens injured in a stampede that had taken place around the Basra International Stadium just hours before the final match.

The tournament’s opening ceremony featured Iraqi artists and entertainers and highlighted Iraq and Basra’s history, with performers telling the story of Mesopotamia.