2023-01-19T12:57:09.000000 Z / The Iraqi football federation said in a statement the Gulf Cup last in between Iraq and Oman due to kick off at 7 pm (16:00 GMT) will go on as planned.Basras Governor Assaad al-Eidani verified that the match will be kept in the city and not be moved to another nation as had actually been speculated.At least two people were eliminated and dozens injured in a stampede at the Jazaa al-Nakhla (the Palm Trunk) arena in the southern city of Basra ahead of the Arabian Gulf Cup final.Sources said that a minimum of 2 fans died, and 80 were hurt in the stampede.

Some of those hurt remained in critical condition, as the main Iraqi News Agency quoted a medical source as saying.Thousands of fans without tickets had collected outside the stadium considering that dawn in hopes of viewing the unusual home global match.It is the first time since 1979 that Iraq has hosted the competition.

Decades of sanctions on Iraq had actually prevented the nation from hosting any sports events.The competition began on January 6 with groups from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Iraq.