Iraq selected to host 28th Arab Gulf Cup in 2028

The Arab Gulf Cup Federation has officially approved Iraq to host the 28th edition of the tournament, scheduled to take place from December 9 to 22, 2028. This marks the third time Iraq will host the event, following the 1979 and 2023 editions.

In preparation, Basra Governor Assaad Al-Eidani announced early coordination with Secretary-General Hamid Al-Ghazi to complete a sports city in Dhi Qar to support the hosting duties. While Basra is prepared to host matches, officials are working to finalize the specific host cities in coordination with the Iraqi Football Association.

Parallel to these hosting developments, the ongoing 27th edition of the tournament in Jeddah has seen intense competition and officiating scrutiny. In Group A, Iraq holds a strong position with 4 points, needing only a draw against Saudi Arabia to secure a semi-final spot. Recent matches, including Iraq's 3-2 victory over Kuwait, have been marked by significant VAR interventions and controversial refereeing decisions regarding penalties and yellow cards.