Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and Al-Student Face Venue Issues for Early League Matches

Air Force and Al Talaba may have to play their matches in the early rounds of the Iraqi Premier League outside the capital, Baghdad, due to the unavailability of the Al Shaab and Al Minaa International Stadiums to host matches at the start of the new season.

According to informed sources, the ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation work at the two stadiums has not yet been completed, prompting the Iraqi competition committee to consider alternative options for hosting matches for the two Baghdad teams.

Sources indicate that the City Sports Stadium will be ready to host matches on September 1 of this year, following the completion of maintenance work that included the pitch, stands, and infrastructure.

The Al-Shaab International Stadium is still undergoing renovations, and a final opening date has yet to be determined.

Sources have indicated that Air Force and Al-Student may play outside Baghdad for a period of three to four rounds at the start of the league, until the maintenance of their stadiums is fully completed and the necessary safety approvals are obtained.

Coordination is currently taking place with several stadiums in the provinces to host the matches of both teams, with alternative venues to be finalized in the coming days in collaboration with the management of both clubs.

The issue of stadium readiness in Baghdad is a recurring problem at the start of each season, especially with the increasing number of Baghdad clubs participating in the Stars League and the congested match schedule.

The Iraqi Football Federation has stressed the importance of clubs adhering to licensing standards this season, including the requirement for a stadium that meets specifications. This places Al Quwa Al Jawiya and Al Talaba in a challenging administrative and organizational position in the early weeks.

The decision to move matches outside Baghdad presents another challenge concerning fan attendance, especially since both clubs have a large fan base in the capital.

Therefore, the managements of Air Force and Al-Student are looking to select relatively nearby stadiums and provide the necessary facilities for fan transportation.

The Iraqi Football Federation is expected to release the revised fixture schedule during the current week. The two teams will return to play in Baghdad as soon as the Al-Madina and Al-Shaab Stadium is ready.