The Palm Trunk Stadium stampede in Basra resulted in two fatalities and about 80 injuries, according to the Iraqi Interior Ministry.
Before the game even started, the Iraqi Football Federation reported that about 90% of the tickets had already been sold. Many Iraqi football fans, especially those who had traveled from other provinces, were incensed by that, according to Abdelwahed.
The final tournament match between Iraq and Oman attracted fans from all over the Gulf, further taxing Basra’s already overburdened infrastructure.
Decades of sanctions and political instability in Iraq had prevented the country from hosting any sport activities. “Authorities say we are lucky to host such special event, but the city is not as prepared as it should be,” Abdelwahed said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has arrived in Basra for an urgent meeting with officials.
The governor of the region and government ministers are reported to be in attendance.
The final between Iraq and Oman is likely to be postponed if the casualties at Basra’s stadium are confirmed, Al Jazeera’s Samer Youssef has reported.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is holding urgent meetings in the southern city ahead of the game. According to government sources, the match may be postponed or transferred to another neutral country if casualties are confirmed.
Youssef said the interior ministry had issued warnings ahead of the game, calling on non-ticket holders to avoid heading to the stadium.
Journalist Ismael Adnan, reporting from near the stadium, described the situation around Basra’s international stadium as “very chaotic”.
Al Jazeera’s Samer Yousef said videos filmed inside the stadium showed the facility at capacity, with security personnel asking the crowd to retreat.
He said it remained unclear if the final would go ahead.