The Gulf Football Federation approved the Iraqi Football Association's request to host the 28th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup "Gulf 28," following an agreement with the other Gulf federations to withdraw their candidacy files, making the Iraqi file the only one submitted to host the upcoming edition.
The General Secretary of the Iraqi Football Association, Kofand Abdul Khaleq, stated in a press interview that "the members of the Gulf federation, during their meeting in the city of Jeddah, approved the Iraqi Football Association's request to host 'Gulf 28,' according to the regulations and criteria adopted by the Gulf Football Federation."
Abdul Khaleq explained that "Iraq's request has become the only hosting proposal submitted by the member federations, after an agreement was reached between the Iraqi federation and the other federations to withdraw the other candidacy files to host the upcoming edition, leaving the Iraqi file uncontested."
He added that "the approval to grant Iraq hosting rights places a set of organizational commitments before the Iraqi federation, foremost of which is to inform the Gulf Football Federation of the city that will host the tournament during the specified period."
The General Secretary of the football federation noted that "the Iraqi federation will also be required to complete all requirements and organizational procedures related to the tournament, according to the regulations and standards established for hosting tournaments by the Gulf Football Federation."
Thus, Iraq is preparing to host the Gulf Cup for the second time in a few years, after Basra hosted the 25th edition "Gulf 25" at the beginning of 2023, in which the Iraqi national team was crowned champion.