Sport in Iraq
This Western Asian country may have first entered the world stage as a turbulent state but there is no denying their love of sports. Football is by far the most popular sport in Iraq, so much so that it is considered as one of the things that contributed to uniting the country after generations of unrest.
The Iraqi football team were the AFC Asian Cup Champions in 2007 after taking down Saudi Arabia. They also took the silver in the 2006 Asian Games which was held in Qatar. Iraq became a member of FIFA in 1950. They also took the Arab Nations Cup four times (1964, 1966, 1985 and 1988), the Gulf Cup of Nations thrice (1988, 1984 and 1979) and were the West Asian Champions in 2002.
Basketball is also very popular as well as kickboxing and wrestling. Riyadh Al-Azzawi is Iraq's brightest kickboxing name. He was born in Baghdad and is the very first Arab World Champion with an unblemished record of 34 wins. Iraq first participated in the Olympic Games in 1948. After a 12 year hiatus, they returned in 1960 where they won their very first Olympic medal in weightlifting. Abdul Wahid Aziz took the bronze in the Men's Lightweight in weightlifting in Rome.
Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Iraq. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please let us know.
Popular sports of Iraq
- Football (Soccer), Basketball, kickboxing and wrestling.
Iraq Sporting Success
- AFC Asian Cup Champions in 2007
Great athletes from Iraq
Iraq Sports trivia
- Iraq first participated in the Olympic Games in 1948.
Iraq at major events
Past sporting events hosted in Iraq
Upcoming sporting events in Iraq
Annual sporting events held in Iraq
Sporting Facilities in Iraq
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