The Iraqi Prime Minister, Ali Al-Zaidi, directed the completion of the Al-Tajiyat Stadium project, as part of the preparations for the capital, Baghdad, to host the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Championship “Gulf 28”, scheduled for 2028.
According to Iraqi media, the Prime Minister’s directive came during his meeting today, Wednesday, with the President of the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, Dr. Aqeel Muftin, and the President of the Iraqi Football Association, Younis Mahmoud, as part of the preparations for hosting the tournament and preparing the sports facilities necessary to hold it in the capital.
The Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation announced, on Wednesday evening, its official approval for Baghdad to host the “Gulf 28” competitions, after agreement with the Iraqi Football Association and the approval of all concerned parties.
The Iraqi Federation is scheduled to announce later the stadiums that will host the tournament matches, while the inspection committees of the Arab Gulf Cup Federation will visit the Iraqi capital during the coming period, to evaluate the readiness of the stadiums, sports facilities, hotels, and logistical services related to hosting.
The Arabian Gulf Cup Federation had previously granted Iraq the right to host the 28th edition of the tournament, which will be held during the period from 9 to 22 December 2028, before Baghdad was officially approved as a host city for the competitions.
Al-Ahly achieved a major victory over Assiut Petroleum with a score of 5-0, on Wednesday, at the start of the sixth edition of the Egyptian Professional Clubs League Cup tournament, “Egypt Capital Cup.”
Al-Ahly advanced with two goals in the first half, scored by Mohamed Magdy Afsha and Sofiane Benjedida, in the 2nd and 33rd minutes of the match that was held at Al-Salam Stadium.
In the second half, Hussein Al-Shahat scored “two goals” in the 58th and 60th minutes, and Omar Sayed Moawad concluded the scoring with a goal in the 79th minute.
With this result, Al-Ahly achieved its first victory in the third group, which includes Arab Contractors, El Gouna and Sharqia Enppi.
In another match at the same time, Pyramids won against Al-Qanat with a score of 3-2 at the Air Defense Stadium, in the second group competitions that included Modern Sport, the National Bank and Smouha.
Pyramids took the lead with a very early goal after only 15 seconds, scored by Palestinian striker Ahmed Nazir Bin Bouali, and Abdel Rahman Magdy added the second goal in the 40th minute.
In the second half, Al-Qanat closed the gap with a goal by Mohamed Al-Shebini in the 58th minute, before Pyramids doubled their advantage with a third goal scored by Ali Hamouda in the 74th minute, before Hazem Abu Sunna scored Al-Qana’s second goal in the 83rd minute.
The Saudi national team was crowned champion of the Gulf Cup “Gulf 27”, for the fourth time in its history after the years “1994, 2002 and 2003”, at the expense of the UAE national team 2-0 in the confrontation that brought them together at Al Enmaa Stadium “The Radiant Jewel” in Jeddah yesterday, in the presence of a full crowd.
The match was preceded by a brief and very expressive closing ceremony entitled “Welcome to the Gulf.” One of the popular bands performed a song, while the Gulf Cup was presented in the form of a huge statue in the middle of the stadium.
The closing ceremony came about two weeks after the start of the tournament in Jeddah, which hosted the tournament for the first time in its history with the participation of 8 teams, divided into two groups before Saudi Arabia and the UAE reached the final match.
Player Hammam Al-Hammami scored the first goal for Al-Akhdar in the match in the 11th minute, and two minutes later Firas Al-Braikan scored the second goal.
