Iraq’s Sudani calls for celebration following Gulf Cup triumph

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has called for holding a public ceremony in the capital city of Baghdad celebrating the national team’s win of the Gulf Cup tournament, announced his spokesperson on Friday.

The Iraqi national football team were crowned champions of the 25th Gulf Cup in Basra, after defeating Oman 3-2 in a highly thrilling contest. The achievement marks the fourth time Iraq has captured the regional tournament, and the first since 1988.

Yahia Rasool, spokesperson of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, said in a tweet that a ceremony “befitting this football sporting achievement” will be held in Baghdad’s Grand Festivities Square, as fans welcome back the returning champions to the Iraqi capital. 

With the final whistle blown, massive celebrations ensued across all Iraqi cities, including the Kurdistan Region, with tens of thousands of people flocking to the streets to celebrate a rare moment of happiness in the turmoil-hit country.

Iraq’s top officials and political figures, including PM Sudani, President Abdul Latif Rashid, and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, extended their congratulations to the national team and the people of the country on the victory in social media statements.

Kurdistan Region’s President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also congratulated the Iraqi team and people on the achievement.

The diplomatic missions of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Canada, and the European Union Delegation in Iraq also joined in the congratulatory messages.

The tournament, held in Iraq’s southern city of Basra, began earlier this month with eight teams from the Gulf taking part in the prestigious competition. The only other time Iraq hosted the Gulf Cup was in 1979, from which the Iraqi team emerged victorious.

Despite the country’s constant state of political instability and disunity, the Iraqi population’s special connection to the sport of football has managed to unify the people at times of major regional and international tournaments, coming to the support of the national team regardless of their humble results.