Iraqi midfielder Zidane Iqbal said Iraq in Gulf Cup 27 is entering the tournament determined to deliver its best performance and compete strongly, describing the competition as an important step in preparing for the Asian Cup.
At the same time, Iraq held its first training session in Jeddah as it prepares to face Oman in its opening match at the tournament, which is being hosted by the Saudi city until next month.
Iqbal Says the Players Will Give 100 Percent
Speaking to reporters and quoted by the Iraqi News Agency, Iqbal said Gulf Cup 27 will be a good preparation for the Asian Cup, stressing that the team’s focus is now on performing at its highest level in the Gulf Cup.
He added that all players will give 100 percent on the pitch, noting that Iraq has a strong squad and that the substitutes are also ready if needed.
Positive Memories Against Saudi Arabia
Iqbal also reflected on Iraq’s Asian playoff match against Saudi Arabia, saying the team produced a good performance in a difficult away game in front of a home crowd.
He said he expects similar conditions again and believes the squad has the experience needed to handle such matches, adding that he hopes this year’s campaign will meet the expectations of Iraqi fans.
First Training Session in Jeddah Before Oman Clash
The Iraqi Football Association said the national team held its first training session in Jeddah on Monday ahead of its opening Gulf Cup 27 match against Oman.
According to the statement, the session took place at pitch C in King Abdulaziz Sports City at 6 p.m. and lasted two hours. Most of the professional players were present, except for Youssef Al-Nasrawi, who is expected to arrive on Tuesday.
Squad Arrival and Official استقبال in Jeddah
The statement added that the Iraqi delegation arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Sunday evening from Baghdad on a private aircraft before heading to its hotel, the Marriott.
The delegation was received at the airport by Iraq’s consul in Jeddah, Ambassador Muloud Al-Mashhadani, along with officials from the Saudi Football Association.
Pre-Match Press Conference Scheduled
The statement said head coach Graham Arnold and captain Aymen Hussein will attend the official pre-match press conference for tournament coaches on Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. in the conference hall of the Hilton Hotel, ahead of Iraq’s opening game against Oman.
Tournament Seen as Preparation for Future Challenges
Executive board member of the Iraqi Football Association Ahmed Al-Mousawi said this year’s tournament is expected to be stronger than previous editions, given the presence of top players, coaching staff, and strong crowd support, including what was seen in Gulf Cup 25 in Basra.
He added that Gulf tournaments have always been an important stage for discovering talent, recalling Iraq’s reserve team participation in the 1986 Gulf Cup in Bahrain, which coincided with Iraq’s appearance at the World Cup in Mexico and helped produce several major names in Iraqi football.
New Faces in the Squad
Al-Mousawi said the current edition offers an important opportunity to prepare the team for upcoming Asian assignments, noting that the squad includes nine new players and 17 domestic league players.
He said the team is ready for the competition and hoped it would deliver results worthy of Iraq’s football history and reputation.
Conclusion:
Iraq enters Gulf Cup 27 with high ambitions and clear messages from both players and officials, centered on serious competition and using the tournament as key preparation for upcoming challenges. With strong support and an experienced squad, Iraq will be hoping for a positive start against Oman.
