Iraq To Host Khaleeji 28

Four-time champions awarded 2028 Gulf Cup

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Iraq will host the 28th Arabian Gulf Cup from December 9 to 22, 2028, after the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation awarded them the tournament yesterday.

The decision was made during an executive committee meeting in Jeddah on the sidelines of the ongoing Khaleeji 27, with Iraq being the only country to submit a bid.

The host city is yet to be confirmed, with Basra and Baghdad both in contention. The Iraqi Football Association must also complete the necessary organisational requirements ahead of 2028.

It will be the third time the four-time champions have staged the Gulf Cup. Baghdad hosted the competition in 1979, before it returned to Iraq for Khaleeji 25 in Basra in 2023.

That edition ended in celebration for the hosts, who beat Oman in the final to lift the trophy for a fourth time.

Iraq are also in contention for another Gulf crown at this year’s tournament in Saudi Arabia, with Graham Arnold’s side on the verge of reaching the semi-finals.

They face the hosts today in their final Group A match, needing only a draw to advance. Oman and Kuwait complete the group.

Alongside the Khaleeji 28 announcement, Iraq were awarded hosting rights for the Gulf Olympic Teams Championship, which will take place in Basra from March 21 to April 3 next year.