Basra: The Iraqi Football Association is making strides towards organizing a four-team friendly tournament in Basra during the FIFA international window in November, aiming to bolster the national team's preparations for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Iraqi Football Association member Ahmed Al-Moussawi stated that the association is aligning its efforts with the vision of the national team's head coach, Graham Arnold. The goal is to provide optimal preparation for the upcoming continental championship. The tournament is seen as a crucial step in achieving this aim.

Al-Moussawi elaborated that the association has initiated contact with several East Asian national teams. This strategic move is based on the similarity of their playing styles to some of the teams in Iraq's group in the Asian Cup finals, which is expected to offer significant technical benefits to the coaching staff and players.

He further revealed that the Iraqi and Iranian national teams have confirmed their participation in the tournament. However, the association is still awaiting final responses from the Uzbek national team and another Asian team to complete the tournament lineup, which Basra will host in November.

Al-Moussawi emphasized that the selection of participating teams is part of a broader strategy by the federation and coaching staff. The aim is to provide the national team with the chance to engage in strong and varied friendly matches, which will enhance their technical and physical readiness ahead of the Asian Cup finals.

The draw for the 2027 Asian Cup finals has placed Iraq alongside the national teams of Australia, Tajikistan, and Singapore, highlighting the importance of such preparatory initiatives.