Acting Youth and Sports Minister Mohammed Nouri met on Tuesday with Iraqi Football Association president Younis Mahmoud to discuss ways to unify government and sports efforts in support of Iraqi sports and to strengthen institutional coordination between the ministry and the federation.
According to a ministry statement, the meeting covered areas of joint cooperation and practical steps for the next phase, with both sides stressing the importance of continued coordination to serve Iraqi sports, especially football.
Institutional coordination to support sports
The ministry said the minister received Mahmoud in the presence of senior ministry staff, and the two sides discussed a number of shared files and ways to unify efforts to develop the sports sector.
The statement added that both parties agreed to continue coordination and hold more joint meetings in order to achieve positive results for Iraqi sports as a whole.
Focus on Iraqi football
The meeting placed particular emphasis on supporting Iraqi football, the country’s most popular sport, and on creating a better institutional environment to help it develop.
The move reflects a broader effort to link government action more closely with sports governance, supporting federations, clubs and youth programmes alike.
New rules for sports club licensing
In a separate meeting, the ministry’s advisory board held its second regular session for 2026, chaired by Acting Minister Mohammed Nouri, and decided to amend the rules for granting establishment licences to sports clubs.
The ministry said the session reviewed recent Cabinet decisions on sports matters and issues related to the ministry’s work and responsibilities, while also stressing the importance of following through on the government programme.
Reform, administration and finance
The board also reviewed the implementation of decisions and directives from its first 2026 session and discussed the regulations needed to organise the ministry’s work, as well as instructions to facilitate implementation of Ministry of Youth and Sports Law No. 25 of 2011.
The minister directed the legal department to complete the required regulations and instructions, and stressed the need to respond to outstanding observations from the Federal Board of Supreme Audit and complete the related procedures.
Reform paper and future budget
The ministry said the board also discussed its reform paper, which aims to address administrative bloat and legal disputes over property, as well as stalled investment projects.
The paper includes a package of measures intended to improve administrative and investment performance and resolve existing problems within the ministry.
2027 budget and future needs
The board also discussed the ministry’s central budget for 2027 and the main allocations needed to implement upcoming projects and programmes.
The ministry said these steps are intended to align financial planning with its priorities and support youth and sports programmes across Iraq.
Conclusion:
The talks between the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Iraqi Football Association reflect a push to unify government and sports efforts in support of Iraqi football and wider sports development. At the same time, the ministry’s decisions on club licensing and administrative reform show a broader effort to improve sports governance in the coming period.
