٠٠:٠٤:٤٨Iraqi and Kuwaiti football fans were in fine voice for their thrilling Asian Football Confederation's 2026 World Cup qualifying match at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City on Tuesday.
There was nothing to separate the teams with the match ending a 0-0 draw.
Footage shows football fans from the nations in jubilant mood, holding flags, as cheers and chants of support can be heard resonating from the stadium.
The match was the first time the neighbours have met on the football field in more than three decades.
"Certainly, it is an indescribable joy to see this reconciliation after a thirty-four-year hiatus. We are one people and unified in the Gulf, above all we are neighbours,” one Iraqi fan noted. “We, as an Iraqi audience, or as an Iraqi people, thank His Excellency the Kuwaiti Minister of the Interior for this initiative which in my opinion represents the first step towards ongoing ties between both countries. What politics has divided, sports shall join together, God willing," he added.
The Governor of Basra, Asaad Al-Eidani welcomes the outcome, adding his thanks to the Kuwaiti authorities for welcoming Iraqis for the game.
"This occasion will usher in the presence of the Iraqi audience at the next Gulf Cup tournament," he noted.
The draw means Kuwait scooped a second point in Group 2, leaving them in fourth place. Meanwhile, Iraq now shares top spot in the group alongside Jordan and South Korea with four points apiece. Palestine has 1 point in fifth place, while Oman is yet to get off the mark and remain bottom.
On October 10, Kuwait will face Oman, while Iraq will play Palestine. On October 15, Kuwait will line up against Palestine, while Iraq will visit South Korea.
Iraq was banned from taking part in the Gulf Cup tournament between 1992-2003 as a result of the Gulf war.
Iraq hosted the Gulf Cup in 2023 in the city of Basra, close to the border with Kuwait, with visa-free access to fans from Arab countries. The hosts went on the win the competition, beating Oman by three goals to two.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
'Sports did what politics failed to do' - Iraqi fans flock to World Cup qualifier at Kuwait City for first time in more than three decades
Iraqi and Kuwaiti football fans were in fine voice for their thrilling Asian Football Confederation's 2026 World Cup qualifying match at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City on Tuesday.
There was nothing to separate the teams with the match ending a 0-0 draw.
Footage shows football fans from the nations in jubilant mood, holding flags, as cheers and chants of support can be heard resonating from the stadium.
The match was the first time the neighbours have met on the football field in more than three decades.
"Certainly, it is an indescribable joy to see this reconciliation after a thirty-four-year hiatus. We are one people and unified in the Gulf, above all we are neighbours,” one Iraqi fan noted. “We, as an Iraqi audience, or as an Iraqi people, thank His Excellency the Kuwaiti Minister of the Interior for this initiative which in my opinion represents the first step towards ongoing ties between both countries. What politics has divided, sports shall join together, God willing," he added.
The Governor of Basra, Asaad Al-Eidani welcomes the outcome, adding his thanks to the Kuwaiti authorities for welcoming Iraqis for the game.
"This occasion will usher in the presence of the Iraqi audience at the next Gulf Cup tournament," he noted.
The draw means Kuwait scooped a second point in Group 2, leaving them in fourth place. Meanwhile, Iraq now shares top spot in the group alongside Jordan and South Korea with four points apiece. Palestine has 1 point in fifth place, while Oman is yet to get off the mark and remain bottom.
On October 10, Kuwait will face Oman, while Iraq will play Palestine. On October 15, Kuwait will line up against Palestine, while Iraq will visit South Korea.
Iraq was banned from taking part in the Gulf Cup tournament between 1992-2003 as a result of the Gulf war.
Iraq hosted the Gulf Cup in 2023 in the city of Basra, close to the border with Kuwait, with visa-free access to fans from Arab countries. The hosts went on the win the competition, beating Oman by three goals to two.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
Iraqi and Kuwaiti football fans were in fine voice for their thrilling Asian Football Confederation's 2026 World Cup qualifying match at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City on Tuesday.
There was nothing to separate the teams with the match ending a 0-0 draw.
Footage shows football fans from the nations in jubilant mood, holding flags, as cheers and chants of support can be heard resonating from the stadium.
The match was the first time the neighbours have met on the football field in more than three decades.
"Certainly, it is an indescribable joy to see this reconciliation after a thirty-four-year hiatus. We are one people and unified in the Gulf, above all we are neighbours,” one Iraqi fan noted. “We, as an Iraqi audience, or as an Iraqi people, thank His Excellency the Kuwaiti Minister of the Interior for this initiative which in my opinion represents the first step towards ongoing ties between both countries. What politics has divided, sports shall join together, God willing," he added.
The Governor of Basra, Asaad Al-Eidani welcomes the outcome, adding his thanks to the Kuwaiti authorities for welcoming Iraqis for the game.
"This occasion will usher in the presence of the Iraqi audience at the next Gulf Cup tournament," he noted.
The draw means Kuwait scooped a second point in Group 2, leaving them in fourth place. Meanwhile, Iraq now shares top spot in the group alongside Jordan and South Korea with four points apiece. Palestine has 1 point in fifth place, while Oman is yet to get off the mark and remain bottom.
On October 10, Kuwait will face Oman, while Iraq will play Palestine. On October 15, Kuwait will line up against Palestine, while Iraq will visit South Korea.
Iraq was banned from taking part in the Gulf Cup tournament between 1992-2003 as a result of the Gulf war.
Iraq hosted the Gulf Cup in 2023 in the city of Basra, close to the border with Kuwait, with visa-free access to fans from Arab countries. The hosts went on the win the competition, beating Oman by three goals to two.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.