The Executive Office of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation, on Monday, officially agreed to assign the hosting of the 28th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup Championship “Gulf 28” to Iraq, during the period from 9 to 22 December (December) 2028, at a time when informed sources revealed to “Asharq Al-Awsat” that confirming the hosting is linked to Iraq’s completion of all regulatory requirements and standards adopted by the Gulf Federation, amid anticipation of deciding the main city that will host the tournament’s competitions between... Baghdad and Basra.
The Executive Office also granted Iraq the right to host the Gulf Olympic Teams Under-23 Championship, scheduled in Basra Governorate during the period from March 21 to April 3, 2027.
According to Asharq Al-Awsat sources, over the next two years, the Gulf Federation will follow up on Iraq’s preparations to host the “Gulf 28”, through multiple visits by specialized delegations to review the progress of work and the extent of compliance with the organization’s requirements, most notably the readiness of stadiums, hotels, security and logistical arrangements, and plans for receiving and transporting fans, in addition to the rest of the strict regulatory standards required by the Federation for the success of the tournament.
The sources explained that granting Iraq the right to host does not mean the end of the organizational file, as after that begins the phase of following up on the implementation of the required obligations until the date of the tournament in December 2028, provided that the various equipment and facilities are subject to evaluation during the visits that the Gulf Federation will conduct throughout the coming period.
While the city that will host the matches has not yet been determined, Sarmad Abdul-Ilah, First Vice President of the Iraqi Football Federation and member of the Executive Office of the Arab Gulf Cup Federation, revealed in exclusive statements to Asharq Al-Awsat that choosing the city will be the responsibility of the Iraqi government in coordination with the Iraqi Federation, so that the choice will fall on the city most prepared to host the event.
Baghdad and Basra stand out as the main options for hosting the “Gulf 28” competitions, while other Iraqi cities, including Najaf, could be included in the organizational scenario to host some matches, according to the extent of readiness and the final plan that will be adopted by the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Football Association.
The Iraqi hosting file had begun moving early last June, on the sidelines of the 2026 World Cup in the United States of America, when Younis Mahmoud, President of the Iraqi Football Association, during his stay there, began his talks with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, President of the Arab Gulf Cup Federation, regarding Iraq’s desire to host the 28th edition.
These talks later developed into official action, before the Iraqi Federation submitted a request to host the tournament on August 30, becoming the only file submitted to the Gulf Federation, before the Executive Office decided on Monday unanimously and without the presence of a competing file.
At the same time, Kuwait was chosen as an alternative country to host the tournament in accordance with the organizational regulations, while during the next stage Iraq will have to complete the required procedures and determine the city and stadiums that will host the competitions.
Abdul-Ilah told Asharq Al-Awsat: “We are very happy to be granted the right to host (Gulf 28), as well as the Under-23 Olympic Team Championship in Basra. We extend our sincere thanks to the Executive Office headed by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for this trust. We promise the Gulf fans that the tournament will be as beautiful as (Gulf 25) and better, and we invite everyone to visit their second country, Iraq, where all the provinces will be welcoming our brothers.”
He stressed that the decision was unanimously approved by the members of the Executive Office, explaining that the Iraqi file was the only one proposed for hosting, after continuous coordination between the Iraqi Federation and its counterparts in the Gulf federations.
The decision to host the Gulf Cup returns to Iraq after the “Gulf 25” experience, which was held in Basra in January 2023, and the Iraqi team won the title. This time, attention is turning to the government decision regarding the city that will lead the organizational file for the next edition, and whether Baghdad will host the tournament for the first time in its modern era, or the competitions will return again to Basra, with the possibility of distributing some matches to other cities.
For his part, Suleiman bin Ali Al Busaidi, President of the Omani Football Association, confirmed his country’s support for the Iraqi file, and said in statements to the media: “We are currently supporting the Iraqi file to host (Gulf 28), and we say to the fans: We are waiting for you in Basra.”
In response to a question from Asharq Al-Awsat regarding the Sultanate of Oman’s absence from hosting the Gulf Cup since 2009, Al Busaidi confirmed that the return of the tournament to the Sultanate will come at its time, adding: “Oman’s hosting of the Gulf Cup will come at its time, and this is what I promise you; “There will be hosting and we will announce it at the appropriate time.”
The Sultanate of Oman has not hosted the Gulf Cup since the nineteenth edition, which was held in Muscat in 2009, that is, 17 years ago. This is the tournament that witnessed the Omani team winning the title for the first time in its history, after defeating the Saudi team on penalties in the final match.
