![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4LOPSCPEJ5C3RJCMKEMXJWCRYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=84afd156d979b4e5193309617353068a170437a0c3c15fece5f0aac84628daa2&width=400&height=225)
Flags of participating countries, hats, sports merchandise and souvenirs are displayed in shops and street stalls in Basra
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LB52T6T57BHXVEZ6NPHBZMDQBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=dd4a27eec19e188e255a8a7d8e6cbb2b6ff88329fde5339a582e7e684d148d02&width=400&height=225)
Iraqis mingle with fans from other countries during the Arabian Gulf Cup being held in Basra, Iraq from January 6 to 19. All photos: Sinan Mahmoud / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SM2DMBR6CBEBFFTAWP6LO2IHSU.jpg?smart=true&auth=169d753eec7ea33989782862d0162a50920270d154f9104d3529a813e5fb126c&width=400&height=225)
The flags of the eight countries taking part in the tournament are displayed all across the southern port city. Sinan Mahmoud / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EPTECSCR65DQZJUACNXQ6CURMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=081316ba380b8cbe5a08e92d85a754f27e900c021aff722f31edb3ed9d669e9b&width=400&height=225)
A street vendor sells flags of participating countries at Basra Corniche
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LQRKZAIKGJHKPBEYAOJRVM56B4.jpg?smart=true&auth=767762dc79b717da4d462622b0326b2f37c80778b33a44317535f437309c7cd9&width=400&height=225)
Omani fan Yahya Al Hashemi, 35, poses for a selfie with an Iraqi fan at Basra Corniche
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3V6USW6I3ZBYXEHFIQROVYK54A.jpg?smart=true&auth=e34c16ec2074ea549546501e4a12f55b95575865777f809751bb1857e377c127&width=400&height=225)
A statue of the mascot for the 25th edition of the Gulf Cup, Sinbad the Sailor – one of the region's legendary characters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DZ7TMOMDDBDMHMVQLB4X2W6RYU.jpg?smart=true&auth=2176af90df8a109651cf6433cbd9b1f55ad0fbadeec26a12a49150557401e8ef&width=400&height=225)
Omani journalist Salah Al Saadi recording Iraqi girls singing on Basra Corniche
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TGFRKV3TDFFQTMPKQMIFLGV3MQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=471af9d1880ced6c7b1ab881e2b1197731033bc05d800c31c49a704ded6b9a80&width=400&height=225)
Football fans crowded the corniche in Basra
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VW3BPZRPDZFMLKVA5ZEAATU7FY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ab6771011b978702b1acf9a4b2f1fe9a3bf0d7f6fd90249e68c4d38aac51cc51&width=400&height=225)
Basra residents are proud to host the tournament after several attempts since 2010, when the security situation started to improve
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4LOPSCPEJ5C3RJCMKEMXJWCRYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=84afd156d979b4e5193309617353068a170437a0c3c15fece5f0aac84628daa2&width=400&height=225)
Flags of participating countries, hats, sports merchandise and souvenirs are displayed in shops and street stalls in Basra
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LB52T6T57BHXVEZ6NPHBZMDQBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=dd4a27eec19e188e255a8a7d8e6cbb2b6ff88329fde5339a582e7e684d148d02&width=400&height=225)
Iraqis mingle with fans from other countries during the Arabian Gulf Cup being held in Basra, Iraq from January 6 to 19. All photos: Sinan Mahmoud / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SM2DMBR6CBEBFFTAWP6LO2IHSU.jpg?smart=true&auth=169d753eec7ea33989782862d0162a50920270d154f9104d3529a813e5fb126c&width=400&height=225)
The flags of the eight countries taking part in the tournament are displayed all across the southern port city. Sinan Mahmoud / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EPTECSCR65DQZJUACNXQ6CURMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=081316ba380b8cbe5a08e92d85a754f27e900c021aff722f31edb3ed9d669e9b&width=400&height=225)
A street vendor sells flags of participating countries at Basra Corniche
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LQRKZAIKGJHKPBEYAOJRVM56B4.jpg?smart=true&auth=767762dc79b717da4d462622b0326b2f37c80778b33a44317535f437309c7cd9&width=400&height=225)
Omani fan Yahya Al Hashemi, 35, poses for a selfie with an Iraqi fan at Basra Corniche
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3V6USW6I3ZBYXEHFIQROVYK54A.jpg?smart=true&auth=e34c16ec2074ea549546501e4a12f55b95575865777f809751bb1857e377c127&width=400&height=225)
A statue of the mascot for the 25th edition of the Gulf Cup, Sinbad the Sailor – one of the region's legendary characters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DZ7TMOMDDBDMHMVQLB4X2W6RYU.jpg?smart=true&auth=2176af90df8a109651cf6433cbd9b1f55ad0fbadeec26a12a49150557401e8ef&width=400&height=225)
Omani journalist Salah Al Saadi recording Iraqi girls singing on Basra Corniche
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TGFRKV3TDFFQTMPKQMIFLGV3MQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=471af9d1880ced6c7b1ab881e2b1197731033bc05d800c31c49a704ded6b9a80&width=400&height=225)
Football fans crowded the corniche in Basra
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VW3BPZRPDZFMLKVA5ZEAATU7FY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ab6771011b978702b1acf9a4b2f1fe9a3bf0d7f6fd90249e68c4d38aac51cc51&width=400&height=225)
Basra residents are proud to host the tournament after several attempts since 2010, when the security situation started to improve
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4LOPSCPEJ5C3RJCMKEMXJWCRYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=84afd156d979b4e5193309617353068a170437a0c3c15fece5f0aac84628daa2&width=400&height=225)
Flags of participating countries, hats, sports merchandise and souvenirs are displayed in shops and street stalls in Basra