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The tournament was initially set to take place in December but was postponed to January as it was scheduled too close to the World Cup
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Ibrahim Mohammed poses next to a hoarding in Basra promoting the Gulf Cup, featuring Sinbad the Sailor, the mascot for the tournament. All photos: Sinan Mahmoud / The National
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Basra residents are in high spirits as the southern Iraqi city prepares to host the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup this week
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The tournament will start on Friday, January 6, 2023, and end on January 19
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Basra residents watch the arrival of the Omani national team on a screen in the city
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The tournament will feature eight teams
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For many Iraqis, hosting the tournament is a sign of their country's recovery after years of conflict and political and economic crises
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Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, who took office last month, has pledged his government will do everything possible to ensure the tournament in Basra is a success
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Iraq won the tournament when it last played host in 1979, as well as in 1984 and 1988
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Mustafa Mohammed, 30, and his son Ibrahim roam around the Basra Corniche as they enjoy the festive mood before the start of the tournament
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A hoarding welcoming Gulf residents on the main road linking Basra International Airport to the city centre
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An electronic board features an advertisement promoting the tournament
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Metal and wooden panels are put up around the city before the start of the tournament
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The tournament was initially set to take place in December but was postponed to January as it was scheduled too close to the World Cup
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Ibrahim Mohammed poses next to a hoarding in Basra promoting the Gulf Cup, featuring Sinbad the Sailor, the mascot for the tournament. All photos: Sinan Mahmoud / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ISTUG7UACJCTRNMZ23Z6ZWS7EE.jpg?smart=true&auth=e94ddc6e78295d1918f564ea8e88b8601eed319417a1de66e9346caebd9682b6&width=400&height=225)
Basra residents are in high spirits as the southern Iraqi city prepares to host the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup this week
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6Y7LTXNZ6JED5FYETBVAZLHE6M.jpg?smart=true&auth=92bd1cb41bcd885b915097d25fb1743964ba54b7f5d243f24e6ed8499fc09fd0&width=400&height=225)
The tournament will start on Friday, January 6, 2023, and end on January 19
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2L7RVGRVDBE67LGDMWT6YU6J3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=d5d6af017fd5ee8984ff2e889fc93e301777eae71b7a7056435f2d23bf98550f&width=400&height=225)
Basra residents watch the arrival of the Omani national team on a screen in the city
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J4FLLNP2BJGWVCL6VE4JGFDMWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=f04a464b17a9d2f5c726e2507afb4ac49533052d09b2c6902f419e23869173e0&width=400&height=225)
The tournament will feature eight teams
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For many Iraqis, hosting the tournament is a sign of their country's recovery after years of conflict and political and economic crises
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EJ4CZGSW5VACXMUTIJM3PT3COE.jpg?smart=true&auth=01f0a653092b9450b354eddb7d14a104caeb322b7f0af8f4e4237aa22b263b96&width=400&height=225)
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, who took office last month, has pledged his government will do everything possible to ensure the tournament in Basra is a success
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NF34HZEUO5HOPI5TTVUJTSNZNY.jpg?smart=true&auth=731647f012fada082b05776ebe1e6acc23ab7aa3cac68dab221c0a2069fe1f48&width=400&height=225)
Iraq won the tournament when it last played host in 1979, as well as in 1984 and 1988
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DPOUQZ76DBAGZHWP4U2EQXC3GQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=a9a022909fa091782d6a9d3cff3e4f5c5d8bfed60e285fe35f581cd64af9d172&width=400&height=225)
Mustafa Mohammed, 30, and his son Ibrahim roam around the Basra Corniche as they enjoy the festive mood before the start of the tournament
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VDSQV7Y6JZHH3OPIQIKALD5ZGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=49bc4528ab2b8402db20ae75e78b5cabd9a856608edee635808601201227d424&width=400&height=225)
A hoarding welcoming Gulf residents on the main road linking Basra International Airport to the city centre
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An electronic board features an advertisement promoting the tournament
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FI6DV427TZEL3JN7VKCIR6PWQM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ef27bfd1c77929525e2a111f1a3a249fcb208f304581e3153450158166bf968a&width=400&height=225)
Metal and wooden panels are put up around the city before the start of the tournament
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SUFHZCWGVRFCVEGOVXZDNFDL6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=d9f772ceaf2f7300ce9078472dba1c1f8b37796dad0ebaec2f602d16cde55260&width=400&height=225)
The tournament was initially set to take place in December but was postponed to January as it was scheduled too close to the World Cup