Iraq named 2016 Gulf Cup hosts, final decision in three months RIYADH: The regional football family has awarded the 2016 Gulf Cup to Iraq, it emerged on Tuesday. The Gulf football officials said the event would be confirmed after an inspection of Basra where the event is likely to take place. The body further said the event would only be confirmed once FIFA clearance is obtained. The actual confirmation on Iraq hosting the event would be delivered in the next three months, officials said on Tuesday. http://www.qfa.com.qa/iraq-named-2016-gulf-cup-hosts-final-decision-in-three-months/
With the whole ISIS situation, I cant see that happening. Iraq is in a state of protracted internal conflict which is not going to be solved in a year or two. Whoever decided to award it to Iraq must have been smoking some strong hashish.
Well, they did say Basra.....they've gone for the very south possibility....Iraq don't have much look in hosting this competition!! Will go to Kuwait then?
Iraq nearly pulled out of the 2014 edition after it was taken away from them.....if 2016 is they would probably pull out forever?
If they do pull out permanently, then good riddance to them. None of the GCC countries would lose any sleep over it. In fact, if anything, I'd wager that a handful of major football governing bodies in the GCC are secretly looking for an excuse to ban Iraq from participating in future Gulf Cup tournaments, without making it appear as though that's what they wanted all along. Personally, I don't think the next tournament should be held in an unstable country just for the sake of appeasing a few Iraqis who don't even consider themselves to be part of the Gulf Arab community in the first place. And besides, who's going to offer/provide protection to the guests? Judging by how the Iraqi armed forces deserted so many towns and cities in the last few months, like a bunch of cowards, I really don't think they should be trusted with hosting a sporting event that will most likely be targeted by various terrorist groups, all of which have their own reasons to attack the visiting teams. If the Iraqis can stabilize whatever's left of their country again, then by all means they're more than welcome to host the next tournament. But I doubt that'll happen.
I don't think Iraq were awarded the hosting rights of the next Gulf Cup tournament for innocent/naive reasons, to be perfectly honest. I think there's more to it than meets the eye. It's no secret that the more times the Iraqis lose their right to host the next Gulf Cup tournament, the more likely they would permanently withdraw from the tournament due to frustration. They've already threatened to withdraw from the Gulf Cup when it was decided that Saudi Arabia would host the 22nd edition, so it'll most likely be the final nail in the coffin for Iraq if it happens to them again, in my opinion.
I don't know...it's a bit odd the decision....it's not like they needed to announce a host now, could have waited till February with the start of the club competition. It's almost like they are either playing a long game in were they pull it from Iraq and make them kick up a fuss to leave but then whoever made the decision must look at themselves and take the accusations of being so absurd to hand it to a war torn country in the first place! In two years time, I guess anything can happen, but to have the decision makers then say is too risky would be laughable when you can see it now! I personally believe someone's thought long and hard and believes that war/politics/football can go hand in hand. They think sport is above war, but bombs and violence don't stop for anybody. You can play a domestic competition in a war zone but you can't invite international teams, that's just stupid. Teams will simply withdraw and then the tournament would be cancelled and put back a year to 2017 and then 6 months before moved...that's what will happen...Iraq will have a dicky fit and be gone altogether.
Iraq officially suspends hosting Khaliji 23 Championship Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The Ministry of Youth and Sport decided to suspend hosting Khaliji 23 Championship in Iraq. The Ministry attributed this decision to the financial crises in Iraq, calling to host the next championship http://www.iraqinews.com/features/iraq-officially-suspends-hosting-khaliji-championship/
Kuwait to host 2016 edition in February http://www.qfa.com.qa/kuwait-set-to-replace-iraq-as-gulf-cup-hosts-in-2016/
Bahrain Football Association board chairman Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa attended the GCC, Iraqi, and Yemeni football associations’ presidents meeting in Kuwait on Thursday. The meeting, chaired by Kuwait Football Association President Shaikh Talal Al Fahad, decided to postpone awarding the 23rd Gulf Cup’s hosting rights to Kuwait after reviewing the inspection committee’s reports. The presidents also reviewed the associations’ general secretaries’ reports and decided for the tournament to take place from December 22, 2015 to January 4, 2016 instead of the earlier proposed dates from December 25 to January 7. Shaikh Talal Al Fahad affirmed that the tournament’s fate will be decided on in the general secretaries’ next meeting on July 27. Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa was accompanied by his deputy, Mr. Ali Ahmed Al Buainain http://bfa.bh/detail/2214 Does this mean that Kuwait aren't hosting?
@ahdaafme: It seems that the #GulfCup 23 will be postponed/moved. @KuwaitFA President Talal Al-Fahd confirms that stadiums are not ready.
They've confirmed the dates but not the host. If not hosted in Kuwait, it will go to Qatar as the next in line. Now, why Qatar in 2016 instead of a world cup year in 2018?? Hmm.
It was confirmed that Kuwait will be hosting Gulf Cup 23 but not it is postponed for a year as the stadiums are not ready
23rd Gulf Cup to be held Dec 22: KFA http://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/23rd-gulf-cup-to-be-held-dec-22-kfa/
Football association agrees to host 23rd Gulf Cup as previously decided. http://en.alkuwaityah.com/Article.aspx?id=24212
news update: they decided to Kuwait a chance until June if they are not ready by then the it'll be moved to Qatar source
Kuwait given till May to get FIFA suspension lifted, then they can host in December 2016, failing this, it will go to Qatar to host in December 2017. UAE will then host the next edition after Qatar. http://www.qfa.com.qa/2016-gulf-cup-in-kuwait-in-december-if-fifa-sanctions-lifted/ http://www.uaefa.ae/en/index.php?go=news&more=25163