The Executive Committee of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation approved Iraq’s request to host the 28th edition of the Gulf Cup during its meeting in Jeddah on the sidelines of the ongoing 27th tournament. Sarmad Abdulilah the first deputy president of the Iraqi Football Association and a member of the federation’s executive committee told the Iraqi News Agency that the decision received unanimous support. Abdulilah added that the committee also granted Iraq the right to host the Gulf Olympic Teams Championship from March 21 to April 3 in 2027. The Iraqi News Agency reported these details directly following the Monday announcement.
The Gulf Cup 28 is set to run from December 9 to 22 in 2028 while the Olympic teams championship will take place in Basra Governorate. Abdulilah explained that the Iraqi government in coordination with the Iraqi Football Association will determine the specific city and stadiums for the Gulf Cup matches. The Iraqi News Agency quoted Abdulilah as confirming that preparations would proceed according to the federation’s approved regulations and standards.
This marks the third time Iraq has hosted the Gulf Cup after the fifth edition in Baghdad in 1979 and the 25th edition in Basra in 2023 according to the Iraqi News Agency and Al Khaleej newspaper. The federation’s executive committee reviewed the hosting file during the Jeddah gathering where Iraq submitted the only bid among member associations. Times of Oman reported that the absence of competing applications contributed to the swift approval of the Iraqi request.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani president of the Gulf Football Federation chaired the executive committee meeting in Saudi Arabia. A federation statement distributed through outlets including Times Kuwait emphasised the need for the Iraqi Football Association to notify the body of the selected host city within the required timeframe. The statement further noted that Kuwait would serve as the alternative host under the established regulations if needed.
Abdulilah highlighted prior coordination by the Iraqi Football Association president with heads of other Gulf federations that helped secure unanimous backing for the bid. The Iraqi News Agency conveyed his remarks that the hosting rights reflect ongoing collaboration within the regional football community. CNN Arabic reported separately that the federation made the announcement via its official account on X platform on the same day.
The 27th Gulf Cup continues in Saudi Arabia where Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have already qualified for the semi-finals according to CNN Arabic coverage. Iraq’s selection for the next two events builds on its recent experience organising the 25th edition three years ago in Basra. The federation indicated in its statement that such decisions support the development of Gulf football competitions across member nations.
