Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar have been placed in Group B along with defending champions Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates for next year’s 25th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup, the draw ceremony of which was heldin Basra, Iraq, on Tuesday.
Hosts Iraq in Group A, were placed with Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman.
The draw was held in the presence of HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, President of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) and Qatar Football Association (QFA); HE Adnan Darjal, Minister of Youth and Sports of Iraq; Governor of Basra Asaad Abdulameer Al Eidani; Jassim Al Rumaihi, Secretary-General of AGCFF and President of Iraq Football Association, and other representatives of the eight federations participating in the tournament.
QFA was also represented by Hani Ballan, member of the QFA Executive Office, Mansoor Al Ansari, Secretary-General of QFA, and Fahd Thani, QFA’s Director of the Development Department.
The 25th Arabian Gulf Cup had been due to run from December 24, 2021 to January 7, 2022 but was postponed to January 6 to 19, 2023.
The details of fixtures and venues will be announced later.
Three-time champions Qatar, who are currently preparing to make their FIFA World Cup debut at home, should be favourites for the title despite the presence of 10-time winners Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain.
Felix Sanchez’s men had bowed out in the semi-final stage in the last edition held in Qatar in 2019, losing to Saudi Arabia, who were then beaten in the final by Bahrain for their maiden title.
"The draw ceremony was the first step towards staging the 25th Gulf Cup. AGCFF carried out talks with the Local Organizing Committee on all organisational matters and final arrangements for hosting this tournament. Coordination with the concerned authorities was also conducted to allow citizens of GCC countries to travel to Iraq without visas during the tournament,” said AGCFF Secretary-General Al Rumaihi.
He also revealed the prize money for the tournament. "There is a prize for the first place in the tournament, which is $1m while runners-up will get $750,000.
"Invitation will also be sent to the FIFA President to attend the tournament, which will follow the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” Al Rumaihi added.
"Sinbad the Sailor” was revealed as mascot of the tournament at the draw ceremony conducted by Iraqi broadcaster Zainab Rabie.
The Gulf Cup is organised every two years, with Bahrain hosting the inaugural edition in 1970. Apart from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iraq have also won the event three times. Oman and the UAE triumphed in two editions each.
Iraq is hosting the tournament for the second time in its history after the first in 1979, when it hosted the fifth edition in Baghdad and went on to win the title.