Baghdad – IA
Director General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and official spokesman for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Hossam Hassan, confirmed that the government directive for the match between the Iraqi and Jordanian teams in Basra in the final qualifiers for the World Cup (2026) strengthens the bond of brotherhood and common relations between the two countries.
Hassan said to the (Sports Today) program, which was broadcast by the Iraqi News Channel – and followed by the (INA): “The Jordanian national team enjoys great respect and welcome among its family and brothers, and this match is between two brother teams and between players who are brothers on and off the field. Iraqi-Jordanian relations are strong.” Throughout history, especially on the sports side, there are many Iraqi coaches who worked in Jordan and led Jordanian clubs for long periods, including coach Adnan Hamad, who led the Jordanian national team. There are also Iraqi players who played professionally in the Jordanian league, as well as Jordanian players who played in the Iraqi league. Relations are good. “Between the two countries and the two peoples.”
For his part, Jordanian journalist Muhammad Mutawa said: “The Jordanian people consider themselves closest to the Iraqi people in terms of customs and traditions and even in dialect. We saw how the Iraqis hosted their brothers from the Gulf in the recent Gulf Championship in Basra, and the generosity of the Iraqi people was very clear, even at the official level.” There is no dispute between Jordan and Iraq, and this is a sports match whose outcome is decided on the field. We bet on the Iraqi officials that they will think the same way with us, in addition to the fact that we know that the Jordanian team will play among its people.”