With a sporting spirit filled with pride and coexistence, Nawruz Club officially announced that its stadium "Nawruz International" will host the final of the Iraq Cup for the 2024–2025 season, which will bring together the two major teams from Dohuk Governorate: Dohuk Club and Zakho Club, in an anticipated match to be held in the city of Sulaymaniyah.

In a joint statement issued by the Nawruz Club administration, the club expressed its pride and happiness at this historic hosting, confirming its readiness to embrace one of the "most important and beautiful matches" in Iraqi football. The statement said:

"With great pride and happiness, Nawruz International Stadium opens its doors to host one of the most beautiful and important matches in Iraqi football, which is the Iraq Cup final between beloved Dohuk and charming Zakho. From now on, our club welcomes the two dear teams, hoping for an enjoyable match that carries a message of peace and coexistence."

Despite the official welcome from the Nawruz administration, the decision was not without some controversy among the fan communities, as a wide segment of the fans of both teams expressed their dissatisfaction with the choice of Nawruz Stadium to host the final match, pointing out that its capacity (about 15,000 spectators) may not be suitable for the large expected attendance from the supporters of Dohuk and Zakho, who are among the most attended Iraqi clubs in the past season.

Some also referred to a previous incident during a match between Zakho and Nawruz in the Iraqi Stars League, when fans stormed the pitch, causing chaos and raising questions about the security and safety standards available at the stadium to host such an important event.

On the other hand, some other followers demanded that the conditions for holding the match be equal and fair, pointing to the importance of providing a neutral and safe atmosphere for both teams, away from any external influences or unbalanced fan pressures.

The organizing committee of the tournament is expected to issue clear directives regarding security arrangements and mechanisms for organizing fan entry, to ensure that the match proceeds in a civil sporting atmosphere befitting the final of the most prestigious local tournaments.

It is worth noting that the match will take place on Friday, July 18, 2025, at an official time to be announced later by the Football Association, and will feature Dohuk, the champion of the Gulf Champions League, against Zakho, which has reached the final for the first time in its history, in a match that fans have described as the "final of fire," due to its special fan atmosphere and being a local derby with a national flavor.