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The spectacular Arabian Gulf Cup opening ceremony at Basra International Stadium. The tournament takes place from January 6 to January 19.
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Fireworks light up the sky over the Basra International Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup in Basra, southern Iraq, on Friday, January 6. Getty
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This is the first time Iraq has hosted the Gulf Cup since 1979. Getty
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A performance at the opening ceremony. Iraqis hope hosting the tournament will help kick off a national recovery, after 40 years of turmoil. Getty
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Artists entertain the Basra crowd. Iraq has won the tournament three times - including when it was held in Baghdad 43 years ago. Getty
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The 65,000-capacity Basra International Stadium bathed in light before the cup got under way with Iraq playing Oman. The game ended 0-0. Getty Images
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Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, centre, at Basra International Stadium, with Fifa president Gianni Infantino to his right. Mr Al Sudani opened the tournament and welcomed the eight teams and their fans. Photo: Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office
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Performers at the opening ceremony. Competing for the Gulf Cup are: Iraq, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Yemen. Getty
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The spectacular Arabian Gulf Cup opening ceremony at Basra International Stadium. The tournament takes place from January 6 to January 19.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SSAFGZZ3D5B7BBFRD3POQQYEKY.jpg?smart=true&auth=7c643d2ea92ae58ee8dee52b3da0cc8887bb62d0af7f24d4c739aebc17045fea&width=400&height=225)
Fireworks light up the sky over the Basra International Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup in Basra, southern Iraq, on Friday, January 6. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GBFBC2ZBKJH7PNDS6KRAG5RD7Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=91b5af19402ba496c995d3ac47b8f39c46fcf22ba349b5bdc04f650576525e8f&width=400&height=225)
This is the first time Iraq has hosted the Gulf Cup since 1979. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MHQKXKTYLJHIRIG4EJIYLZZFAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=b8f2264d3fc8ae0e3bd8f72e8088b04ba67d6b2e0c9c22ba014ae9322a886802&width=400&height=225)
A performance at the opening ceremony. Iraqis hope hosting the tournament will help kick off a national recovery, after 40 years of turmoil. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L4W4EP4LANGMNAC7QWNUO6AU3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=1578d4d518bd462684e772c36fb8fd2b15586f85da44d83cd15e687ed8918144&width=400&height=225)
Artists entertain the Basra crowd. Iraq has won the tournament three times - including when it was held in Baghdad 43 years ago. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DFP3ARGMDNAKZAKAOAKEXVLLBQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7d3dd315532f3b165d0ae229d3a28fdc921e19871dcf2580ddabc7ffaeb698f5&width=400&height=225)
The 65,000-capacity Basra International Stadium bathed in light before the cup got under way with Iraq playing Oman. The game ended 0-0. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MNCBZEMYVNC2LLEIKIRKZYWBD4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d0730c4f6de11f8e7c222504daffd2460a87b979d53b0b55eb30e5c8c5505241&width=400&height=225)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, centre, at Basra International Stadium, with Fifa president Gianni Infantino to his right. Mr Al Sudani opened the tournament and welcomed the eight teams and their fans. Photo: Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BU5CHICQIVAONB7WETK7ZZQ44Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=62269d7dea575cf721035749e0b2e3186e53c6e6d472d4bb658bf56471b332ed&width=400&height=225)
Performers at the opening ceremony. Competing for the Gulf Cup are: Iraq, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Yemen. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3DRQKEULFRH47FOM6VC573PXDI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b8e1fce81fe6b4597f55e2b93c2e6fbca34424bf03511aecbe5d4934a1170fd2&width=400&height=225)
The spectacular Arabian Gulf Cup opening ceremony at Basra International Stadium. The tournament takes place from January 6 to January 19.
Basra's Gulf Cup unites fans from across Iraq and the Gulf
Tournament in southern port city represents a historic moment for Iraq
![Mina Aldroubi](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F48481d72-67cc-4a04-b275-155199d827d0.png?smart=true&auth=96cfe1b4f5fdcd35f4d973dfd9dd3dc13e3b30b54a8e526b78eab5e8deef7736&width=70&height=70)
Mina Aldroubi
12 January, 2023
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