The Arabian Gulf Cup is returning to Iraq for the first time since 1979.

For the occasion, murals were painted by twenty volunteers on the walls of the city of Basra. The sports event has started on January 6, and is also a chance to promote several regional talents. For example, Arab pop superstar Kadim Al Sahir and Iraqi singers Rahma Riad and Hussam Alrassamse performed at Basra International Stadium to open the competition.

The Arabian Gulf Cup is a biennial football competition governed by the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation for its eight member nations. The history of the competition has also seen it held every three to four years due to political or organisational problems. The reigning champions are Bahrain, who won their first title at the 24th edition, held in 2019.

Photo: copyrights The National.