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By JOHN DUERDENJanuary 19, 2023
Iraq’s Ayman Hussein, middle, fights for the ball, throughout the Arabian Gulf Cup’s last soccer match between Iraq and Oman on the Basra Worldwide Stadium, in Basra, Iraq, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Iraq defeated Oman by 3-2. (AP Picture/Nabil al-Jurani)
Iraq gained the Gulf Cup for the primary time since 1988 with a 3-2 victory over Oman on Thursday however the triumph was marred by a lethal stampede outdoors the Basra Worldwide Stadium.
The catastrophe might have repercussions for the nation’s 2026 World Cup hopes.
As followers tried to get into the stadium hours earlier than kickoff, there was a crush that killed at the very least two folks and injured dozens, a well being official mentioned.
It was a blow for organizers of the primary worldwide soccer event hosted in Iraq since 1979 as the larger prize of internet hosting 2026 World Cup qualifiers gave the impression to be inside attain.
Because of safety issues, Iraq has staged solely two World Cup qualifiers for the reason that U.S.-led invasion of 2003, in opposition to Jordan within the northern metropolis of Erbil in 2011 and Hong Kong in Basra eight years later. All different aggressive video games involving the nationwide staff have been performed in neighboring international locations equivalent to Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Baghdad final staged a aggressive worldwide sport in September 2001 in opposition to Bahrain however was lastly scheduled to host a 2022 World Cup qualifier in opposition to United Arab Emirates on March 24 final yr. After a missile assault on Erbil 11 days earlier than the sport was to be performed, nonetheless, the venue was switched from the Iraqi capital to Saudi Arabia.
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