Duhok FC fans celebrating after winning the Gulf Club Champions League trophy 2025
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — Iraqi football club Duhok SC will create history by featuring in the first ever Gulf Super Cup, with the Iraqis set to meet Qatar’s Al Rayyan at Duhok Stadium on August 13.
The Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation announced the creation of a new tournament between the holders of the current and prior editions of the Gulf Club Champions League.
Duhok, the reigning Gulf Club Champions League champions, will represent Iraq against one of Qatar’s most recognized teams, Al Rayyan, in the inaugural edition of the new event.
Hosting the match in Duhok is a significant step for Iraqi football, with the city set to host a major regional club event that is sure to attract considerable attention from supporters across the Gulf.
The Gulf Football Federation said the tournament is an essential addition to regional football and is aimed at boosting competitiveness between Gulf teams and increasing the profile of club football throughout the region.
For Duhok, the game is another milestone after the club’s recent continental triumph.
Based in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, the club has been one of the standout teams in Iraqi football in recent years and has helped raise the profile of Iraqi club football in the region.
The final in Duhok also shows that Iraq is improving its capacity to hold large athletic events and that trust in the country’s football infrastructure is increasing.
The Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation lauded the efforts of Duhok in preparing to host the Cup and voiced confidence that the match will be conducted at a high level, commending the cooperation of the Iraqi Football Association.
The Gulf Super Cup is set to be an annual feature on the region’s football calendar, with Iraq having the honor of hosting the first edition.