Skip to main content

Iraq wins 'Arabian Gulf' Cup championship defeating Oman in Basra

Iraq defeated Oman 3-2 in the historic match in Basra, leading to celebrations throughout the country.
Iraq's midfielder Ibrahim Bayesh (L) reacts after scoring during the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup final football match between Iraq and Oman at the Basra International Stadium in Iraq's southern city on January 19, 2023. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraq defeated Oman at the Arabian Gulf Cup association football (soccer) tournament in Basra on Thursday. 

Iraqi midfielder Ibrahim Bayesh scored a goal at 24 minutes in to put Iraq up 1-0. This remained the score until 10 minutes into injury time when Omani midfielder Salaah al-Yahyaei scored on a penalty kick to tie the game and send it into overtime. 

Iraqi midfielder Amjad Attwan then scored a penalty goal at minute 116, followed by Omani striker Omar Al Malki scoring on a header three minutes later. At 122 minutes in — two minutes into the injury time following overtime — Iraqi defender Manaf Younis scored the final goal as Iraq won 3-2.

Many Iraqis rejoiced on social media after the victory.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Babylon FM (@babylonfm)

 

The Arabian Gulf Cup is held every four years. Bahrain won the last tournament in 2019. Oman has won twice — in 2009 and 2017. Iraq also won in 1979, 1984 and 1988, according to Al Jazeera. 

Why it matters: Hosting the tournament was important for Iraq. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said that holding the event in the country showed Iraq is safe. He also called on FIFA to lift its security-related ban on Iraqi stadiums, the Kurdish Iraqi news outlet Rudaw reported. 

People in Basra gathered in the streets en masse to watch the match. 

 

 

Iraq defeated favorites Saudi Arabia en route to the final against Oman. The Saudi soccer team was coming off the 2022 World Cup in Doha, where they won a game against the eventual champions Argentina. 

The Basra tournament continued the momentum in the region following Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup. Arabic-speaking countries were well represented in Doha. Morocco made history by advancing to the semifinals, ultimately losing to France. An Egyptian company helped manufacture the soccer ball used in the World Cup

The tournament has not been without controversy. Iran summoned the Iraqi ambassador after Iraqi officials used the term “Arabian Gulf” when referencing the Gulf states represented in the tournament. Iran prefers the term “Persian Gulf.” 

Know more: One person was killed and dozens of others were hurt Thursday during a stampede in Basra ahead of the final match. 

Another major soccer event took place in Saudi Arabia as well on Thursday when Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain defeated the so-called Riyadh All-Star XI led by Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Ronaldo recently joined Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr football club and the Portuguese forward is by far the biggest player to ever play in the Saudi Pro League. Messi, who just won the World Cup with Argentina, has been linked to the Saudi club Al Hilal, though there is no indication he will sign with them. The Riyadh All-Star XI consists of Al Nassr and Al Hilal players. 

Paris Saint-Germain won the high-scoring match 5-4.

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise AI-driven

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. Prioritize your target industries for weekly review:

  • Capital Markets & Private Equity
  • Venture Capital & Startups
  • Green Energy
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainable Development
  • Leading Edge Technology
  • Oil & Gas
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Banking

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in

The Middle East in your inbox Insights in your inbox.

Deepen your knowledge of the Middle East

Trend Reports

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 22, 2019. (Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HOW HWEE YOUNG/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

From roads to routers: The future of China-Middle East connectivity

A general view shows the solar plant in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, on March 29, 2018. - On March 27, Saudi announced a deal with Japan's SoftBank to build the world's biggest solar plant. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

Regulations on Middle East renewable energy industry starting to take shape

Start your PRO membership today.

Join the Middle East's top business and policy professionals to access exclusive PRO insights today.

Join Al-Monitor PRO Start with 1-week free trial