Iraq won the Gulf Cup for the first time since 1988 with a 3-2 win over Oman on Thursday, but the win was marred by a deadly stampede. outside the Basra International Stadium.
The disaster could have repercussions for the country’s 2026 World Cup hopes.
As fans tried to enter the stadium hours before kick-off, there was a crush that killed at least two people and injured dozens, a health official said.
It came as a blow to the organizers of the first international soccer tournament hosted in Iraq since 1979, as the jackpot of hosting the 2026 World Cup qualifiers seemed within reach.
Due to security concerns, Iraq has hosted only two World Cup qualifiers since the US-led invasion in 2003, against Jordan in the northern city of Erbil in 2011 and Hong Kong in Basra eight years later. All other competitive games involving the national team have been played in neighboring countries such as Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Baghdad last hosted a competitive international match in September 2001 against Bahrain, but was ultimately scheduled to host a 2022 World Cup qualifier against the United Arab Emirates on March 24 last year. However, after a missile attack on Erbil 11 days before the match was to be played, the venue was changed from the Iraqi capital to Saudi Arabia.
“The Gulf Cup is a message to international sports institutions that Iraq is a safe country, that it has the capacity and capabilities that allow it to attract tournaments,” said Iraq’s new prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
He suggested that FIFA allow Iraq to play World Cup qualifiers on their home soil.
“The simplest message that the international federation could give to Iraqi fans is to lift the international ban on Iraqi stadiums,” he said.
The Gulf Cup, an eight-nation tournament that usually takes place every two years, kicked off on Jan. 6 with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in attendance.
“I am very happy that competitive soccer has finally returned to Iraq, a true soccer-loving country, even more so with such a prestigious tournament,” Infantino said.
It remains to be seen if the stampede affects any decision FIFA makes on Iraq hosting the 2026 World Cup qualifiers that begin in Asia in October.
There had already been controversy with Iran summoning the Iraqi ambassador to Tehran to protest the use of the name “Arabian Gulf Cup” for the tournament. Tehran says the body of water is called the “Persian Gulf.”
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