Iraq’s Basra named as host city for 25th Gulf Cup championship in 2023

QNA/AgenciesDohaThe southern Iraqi city of Basra is set to host the 25th Gulf Cup in 2023, the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) announced on Thursday, marking the first time the country has hosted the competition in over 40 years.The Executive Office, during the meeting chaired by HE President of the AGCFF Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, discussed many topics on the agenda foremost of which was the report of the Inspection Committee following its recent visit to Basra which will hold the competitions of the 25th Gulf Cup.HE President of the AGCFF praised the preparations of the city of Basra to host the event. His Excellency said the event will bring together the people of the Gulf and Iraqis who have been waiting to host the event on their soil for a long time. HE also expressed his full confidence in the ability of the Iraqi football association in general and the city of Basra in particular to present the regions most prominent football event in the best manner.The Secretary-General of the AGCFF, Jassim Sultan Al Rumaihi, gave a detailed explanation of Basras preparations to host the tournament. He also unveiled detailed reports on the developments and progress of work in stadiums and hotels in the city.Basra had been selected to host three previous editions since 2010 of the Gulf Cup but the venue was changed each time due to concerns. Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi, and President Barham Salih both sent out congratulatory tweets following the decision from the AGCFF to approve Basra’s bid to host 25th Gulf Cup."We promise our people and our brothers in the Gulf that this football festival will be worthy of the name of Iraq, and match international standards,” said Kadhimi.The tournament is set to take place from January 6 to January 19, 2023. It was initially set to take place in December 2022, but was postponed as it was believed to be scheduled too close to the World Cup in Qatar which takes place in November later this year.The only time Iraq hosted the Gulf Cup was in 1979 when they also emerged victorious. The country shares the honour of being the second most-decorated Gulf Cup champion of all time, a position it shares with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, having won the tournament three times, despite competing in only 14 editions of the cup. Kuwait leads the ranking, having won 10 times. Arabian Gulf Cup is a football competition held once every two years. The first edition of the Gulf cup was held in Bahrain 1970 while the last edition was held in Qatar 2019.