General Conference of the championship result on the acceptance of Iraq file to host the Gulf 25

The General Conference of the 24th Gulf Cup in the Qatari capital, Doha, which started from 26 November to 9 December 2019, has accepted the initial file of Iraq to host the next edition of the Gulf Cup in Iraq.

The conference was chaired by HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, President of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation, in the presence of Vice President Dr. Jassim bin Mohammed Al Shukaili, Secretary General Jassem Al Rumaihi and representatives of member associations.

In a press meeting following the conference, Secretary-General Jassem Al-Rumaihi announced the acceptance of the Iraq file in principle, saying: “Iraq has been accepted in principle to host the next edition of the tournament, and will be officially approved after meeting the necessary criteria.”

Al-Rumaihi explained that the file of Iraq had the support of all members of the Gulf Union, and said: “All members preferred not to file any file in support of Iraq and give him the full opportunity to get the right to host the Gulf 25. Iraq file is completed by up to 70 to 80 percent, and there are deficiencies that we will work with the Iraq’s Union to support its completion.”

He added: “I had the opportunity to attend the Friendship Championship, and I saw that Iraq has the main elements that enable it to host a successful championship. I saw some of the shortcomings that can be addressed and overcome.”

Al-Rumaihi pointed out that the system of hosting the tournament now will be by submitting the file of the country wishing to host the tournament, not by recycling as it was done in the past, discuss the files to study the readiness of each file separately, and then announce later the winning candidate with the right to host.

Al-Rumaihi concluded the press conference by emphasizing the optimism of the Federation for Iraq to host the 25th Gulf championship after the absence for nearly 40 years, and support all members to continue this tournament with its momentum and its usual glow.