Shafaq News- Doha

Iraq's U17 national football team crashed out of the Gulf Cup on Thursday following a 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their final Group B match in Doha, Qatar.

Saudi Arabia's Abdulaziz al-Nahid scored the only goal in the 88th minute at Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium, sealing Iraq's elimination from the tournament.

Despite the victory, Saudi Arabia also failed to advance after Yemen defeated Kuwait 2-0 to secure the second semifinal spot alongside group leaders Egypt.

Iraq finished fourth in Group B with three points, while Saudi Arabia placed third with seven.

The tournament features 10 teams divided into two groups, with the top two from each advancing to the semifinals.

Shafaq News- Al-Sulaymaniyah

Iraq’s national archery teamconcluded the Asian Archery Championship in Al-Sulaymaniyah with three bronzemedals after finishing third in the men’s 70-meter recurve team event onThursday.

Abdullah Saad, Samir Adel, andMohammed Jassim secured Iraq’s final medal of the tournament, held at theUniversity of Al-Sulaymaniyah.

On Wednesday, Fatima Saad andIshaq Ibrahim claimed bronze in the 50-meter mixed-team compound event, addingto an earlier bronze won by Iraq’s men’s compound team.

Shafaq News- Amman/ Baghdad

Iraq’s national judo team secured three medals —onesilver and two bronze— on the opening day of the Amman Asian Open 2026 inJordan.

Mohammed Sattar earned silver in the men’s 73kgcategory after reaching the final, while teammate Hussein Raad took bronze inthe same division.

Maryam Hamed added another bronze for Iraq in thewomen’s 52kg category.

According to the International Judo Federation (IJF),the tournament runs from October 28 to 29, featuring 129 judokas from 22countries, including 80 men and 49 women.

ShafaqNews- Al-Sulaymaniyah

Iraq'smixed compound team of Fatima Saad and Ishaq Ibrahim won bronze at the AsianArchery Championships in Al-Sulaymaniyah, giving the hosts their second medalof the tournament.

Thepair finished on the podium in the 50-meter compound mixed team event at theUniversity of Al-Sulaymaniyah stadium.

Iraq'sfirst bronze came earlier from the men's compound team.

SeventeenAsian national teams are competing in the championships, which run until Oct.29.

Shafaq News- Al-Sulaymaniyah

Iraq’s men’s compound archeryteam won bronze at the 2026 Asia Cup, Leg II, held at Al-Sulaymaniyah SportClub in the Kurdistan Region on Wednesday.

The Iraqi team secured thirdplace after defeating Sri Lanka 227–212 in the bronze-medal match.

According to World Archery,the tournament features 106 archers from 19 nations. Competition began withqualification rounds on October 25, following a day of official practice andequipment inspections. The compound finals took place on October 28, with therecurve finals scheduled for October 29.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq's Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya secured their first win in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday, defeating Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor 1-0 in the third round at Al-Madina International Stadium in Baghdad.

After a goalless first half, Saad Abdul-Amir scored the winner in the 70th minute to give the Iraqi side all three points.

The victory lifted Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya to 10th place among 16 teams with three points, while Pakhtakor remained 12th with two.

Shafaq News- Baku

Egypt ended Iraq's perfect start at the FIFA U-15 World Cup& Festival in Azerbaijan on Monday, beating Safwan Abdul Ghani's side 4-1to finish top of the group and secure a place in Tier A.

Egypt took control early, going into halftime 3-0 up, andadded a fourth after the break before Iraq pulled one back.

The defeat came just hours after Iraq had won their fourthstraight game, thrashing Saint Kitts and Nevis 5-0 that morning. They hadopened the tournament with wins over the Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobagoand Macau.

The afternoon clash with Egypt decided first place in thegroup, with the winners guaranteed promotion to the tournament's Tier A.

The event uses an eight-a-side format on a 68-by-47-meterpitch, with two 20-minute halves. It is open to players born in 2011 and 2012and is designed to give young players plenty of competitive matches to helptheir development.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq's under-15national team beat Saint Kitts and Nevis 5-0 at the FIFA U-15 World Cup andFestival in Azerbaijan, its fourth straight win of the tournament.

Iraq controlled thematch from the opening minutes and led 4-0 at halftime through goals fromSajjad Fayez, Ayman Hamid, Mohammed Qasim and Mahdi Saleh. Karrar Mithaq addedthe fifth after the break.

Coach Safwan AbdulGhani's side had opened the tournament with wins over the Cayman Islands,Trinidad and Tobago and Macau.

Iraq face Egypt at2:45 p.m. on Monday in a match that will decide first place in the group. Toppingthe group would secure a place in the tournament's top tier, Tier A.

Read more: U-15 World Cup: Iraqi team prepares for opener

Shafaq News- Barcelona

Kylian Mbappé scored twice, including an 87th-minute winner, as Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, ending the Catalan side's perfect start to the La Liga season and narrowing the gap between the rivals to three points.

Madrid took the lead in the 41st minute when Gerard Martín's attempted clearance from a Yan Diomande cross struck Mbappé and deflected into the net. The visitors continued to threaten before halftime, with Mbappé striking the post in stoppage time, although the offside flag was raised.

Barcelona improved after the break and equalized in the 61st minute through Raphinha, who finished a disguised pass from Pedri past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

Lunin then produced a crucial save to deny Gerard Martín's close-range header in the 65th minute, preventing Barcelona from taking the lead.

Madrid regained the advantage in the 87th minute when Mbappé finished a counterattack after Jude Bellingham released Eduardo Camavinga, who cut the ball back for the French forward to score.

The result ended Barcelona's nine-match winning start to the league season and lifted José Mourinho's side to 24 points from 10 matches, three behind Hansi Flick's Barcelona on 27.

Shafaq News- Nicosia 

Ten medals, including four silver and six bronze, marked the Iraqi national Football Tennis team's campaign at the World Championships in Cyprus, where 32 countries competed across multiple events.

The four silver medals came in the men's mixed, youth mixed, men's doubles and men's trios events, according to the National Olympic Committee.

The team also secured bronze medals in six categories: boys' doubles, boys' trios, women's singles, women's doubles, women's trios and men's singles.

Safaa Sahib, head of the Iraqi Football Tennis Federation, praised the performances of the national team's male and female players, crediting their preparation and determination for the results.

Shafaq News- Baku

Iraq secured a second consecutive win at the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup onSunday, beating Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 after opening the tournament with a 5-0victory over the Cayman Islands.

Sajjad Faez put Iraq ahead in the 16th minute, capping a first half inwhich the team held the upper hand. The Lions of Mesopotamia continued to pressafter the break, with Mahdi Saleh doubling the lead in the 36th minute.Trinidad and Tobago later pulled a goal back, but Iraq held on for the win.

The tournament draw placed Iraq in Group S alongside the Cayman Islands,Trinidad and Tobago, Macau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Egypt.

According to FIFA, the inaugural tournament runs from October 24 to 30,with eight-a-side matches played over two 20-minute halves. Group-stage resultswill divide teams into six performance tiers, with every team remaining incompetition through the final day.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Baghdad will be ready to host the 2028 Arabian Gulf Cup, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi said on Saturday, directing officials to complete unfinished stadiums and upgrade sports facilities ahead of the tournament.

Al-Zaidi called for completing all hosting requirements, including work on Al-Tajiyat Stadium, which his office said would seat more than 60,000 spectators.

The prime minister also instructed the Finance Ministry to release outstanding payments for live television coverage of the Iraqi football league. He ordered authorities to complete procedures for allocating land to the Iraqi Football Association for training grounds and facilities for youth and national teams.

The Gulf Football Federation awarded Iraq hosting rights for the December 9 to 22, 2028 tournament on September 28, with Baghdad subsequently confirmed as the host city. Iraq previously hosted the competition in the capital in 1979 and in Basra in 2023.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

The Iraqi delegation finished the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan,with 23 medals —seven gold, eight silver, and eight bronze— placing 11thoverall.

The delegation comprised 137 members, including 84 athletes representing 14sports federations.

Para athletics led the medal tally with 14 medals —four gold, five silver,and five bronze.

Shafaq News- Baku

Iraq's under-15 football team opened their 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup &Festival campaign with a 5-0 victory over the Cayman Islands in Baku,Azerbaijan, on Saturday.

The tournament draw placed the Iraqi team in Group S alongside the CaymanIslands, Trinidad and Tobago, Macau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Egypt.

Ahead of the tournament, the squad held their first training session in Bakuon October 21 under head coach Safwan Abdul Ghani and his assistant coaches,with all selected players taking part.

According to FIFA, the inaugural tournament runs from October 24 to 30,featuring eight-a-side matches played in two 20-minute halves. Group-stageresults will divide teams into six performance tiers, with every team remainingin competition until the final day.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq’s national para powerlifting team concluded itsparticipation in the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, with a gold medalin the mixed-team event, bringing its total to two golds and two silvers.

Iraqi Paralympic Powerlifting Federation PresidentAqeel Hameed praised the athletes’ performance, highlighting that the team hadopened and closed its campaign with gold medals.

Earlier in the competition, Mustafa Salman securedIraq’s first gold in the men’s 59kg category, setting a world record with a212kg lift.

Shafaq News- Doha

Iraq’s U17 national footballteam claimed their first victory at the Gulf Cup in Qatar on Friday, beatingKuwait 3-0 in their second Group B match.

Hassan Haider put Iraq aheadwith a first-half penalty before Ali Al-Bahadli doubled the lead in the 62ndminute and Rasoul Mohammed sealed the 3-0 win in the 89th at Hamad bin KhalifaStadium.

The result came after Iraqlost their opener 2-0 to Yemen, while Kuwait suffered a 3-0 defeat to Egypt intheir first match.

Iraq compete in Group Balongside Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, and Egypt. Group A includes hosts Qatar,the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, and China.

Running from October 16 toNovember 4, 2026, the tournament features 10 national teams, the largest fieldin its history.

Shafaq News- Nagoya

Iraqi sprinters Mohammed Reda Zaidan and Idris Sami wonsilver and bronze, respectively, in the 200-meter race at the 2026 Asian ParaGames in Nagoya, Japan, on Friday.

Sami had previously secured silver in the 100-meter race,while Zaidan claimed gold in the 400 meters, bringing each athlete's medaltally to two at the ongoing competition.

The fifth edition of the Games runs from October 18 to 24across the Aichi-Nagoya area, with athletes representing 45 National ParalympicCommittees competing in 18 sports, according to the International ParalympicCommittee.

Shafaq News- Nagoya/ Baghdad

Iraqi athletes won four medals across para athletics, powerlifting, and sitting volleyball at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games in Japan.

Zahraa Aseer won gold in the women's discus throw, while Mustafa Salman, Rasoul Kadhim, and Muslim Aqeel took silver in team para powerlifting.

Iraq's sitting volleyball team also claimed bronze after defeating China 3-1 in the third-place match.

In para athletics, Abbas Hatem earned bronze in the men's 1,500-meter race.

The fifth Asian Para Games are being held from October 18 to 24 in Japan's Aichi-Nagoya area, featuring 18 sports and athletes from 45 National Paralympic Committees, according to the International Paralympic Committee.

Shafaq News- Nicosia

Iraq's youth football tennis team advanced to the mixed doubles final at the World Championships in Cyprus after defeating Moldova 2-0 in the semifinals on Thursday, the Iraqi National Olympic Committee announced.

The Iraqi team had topped its group after three consecutive victories over Turkiye, Cyprus, and France.

The committee also reported six bronze medals for Iraq, with the junior team winning three in singles, doubles, and triples, while the women's team secured another three in the same events. The Iraqi team is also hoping to win medals in senior mixed doubles and men's singles, doubles, and triples.

The youth team will face Romania in the mixed doubles final on Saturday, October 24, according to the committee. The championships are being held in Famagusta, Cyprus, from October 19 to 24, according to the international governing body, FIFTA.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

World Aquatics hasplaced Ayad Mushir Jassim in charge of the Iraqi Aquatics Federation during theprovisional suspension of its former president, Khaled Abdulwahid Kabyan, asthe federation faces approaching entry deadlines for internationalcompetitions.

Jassim, a member ofWorld Aquatics' executive committee, will run the Iraqi Aquatics Federation andreceive all official correspondence for as long as Kabyan's provisionalsuspension lasts, according to a letter from the governing body's executivedirector dated October 20.

The letter urgedJassim to brief the rest of the Iraqi federation's board quickly and to keep toregistration deadlines. First on the calendar is the World AquaticsChampionships (25m) in Beijing, with entries closing on November 10.

Prime Minister Alial-Zaidi terminated Kabyan's contract as a government adviser on June 29,citing a lack of financial clearance over state funds. Earlier that month, theKarkh Criminal Court sentenced him to one year in prison, suspended for threeyears, after convicting him of causing intentional damage to public funds. Theruling was upheld on appeal in July, and in August the Iraqi National OlympicCommittee ordered his removal from his sports posts.

Shafaq News- Nagoya

Iraq won two more medals at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, on Thursday, taking silver in team épée wheelchair fencing and bronze through Hussein Fadel in the seated javelin throw.

On October 21, Iraq also secured three gold and three silver medals across athletics and powerlifting, while Paralympic champion Najla Imad won gold in women’s table tennis a day earlier.

The fifth Asian Para Games run from October 18 to 24 in Japan’s Aichi-Nagoya area, bringing together athletes from 45 National Paralympic Committees across 18 sports, according to the International Paralympic Committee.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Asian archery teams began arriving in Iraq's Kurdistan Region on Thursday for the Asia Cup in Al-Sulaymaniyah, although the Iraqi Archery Federation said it had yet to receive funding to cover the tournament's expenses.

Federation President Saad Al-Mashhadani told Shafaq News that Yemen's delegation was the first to arrive through Erbil International Airport, with most other teams expected on Thursday and Friday. Bangladesh's delegation is also scheduled to arrive through Baghdad International Airport before traveling to Al-Sulaymaniyah.

Higher airfares to Al-Sulaymaniyah had prompted most delegations to choose Erbil, Al-Mashhadani said, adding to the federation's transport expenses for overland transfers and private vehicle rentals.

He said all delegations were expected by October 23, when team meetings, preliminary training, equipment checks, and referee assignments were also planned. Organizational arrangements were progressing well, he added, with the president of the Asian archery federation and competition referees also expected to arrive.

Al-Mashhadani said the federation had received no financial allocations for the tournament despite repeated appeals. Organizers are now awaiting support from a sponsor or investor to cover expenses and help ensure the event's success.

The 2026 Asia Cup, Leg II, which the federation previously said would feature 19 countries, is scheduled for October 24 to 29 at Al-Sulaymaniyah Sport Club, according to World Archery. Its preliminary program lists official practice and equipment inspections for Saturday, qualification rounds for Sunday, and compound and recurve finals on October 28 and 29, respectively.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq's under-15 football team held its first training session in Baku on Wednesday ahead of its FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival opener against the Cayman Islands on October 24 at 10:30 a.m. Baghdad time.

Head coach Safwan Abdul Ghani led the session alongside his assistant coaches, with all selected players taking part. The squad will continue daily training in preparation for its opening match.

Iraq is in Group S alongside the Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Macau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Egypt.

FIFA said the inaugural tournament's matches will run from October 24 to 30 in Azerbaijan, with teams playing eight-a-side matches of two 20-minute halves. Group-stage results will determine placement in six performance tiers, with all teams continuing through the final matchday.

Shafaq News

Real Madrid defeated RB Leipzig 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, maintaining its perfect start to the UEFA Champions League league phase with a third consecutive victory ahead of Sunday's El Clásico against Barcelona.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring shortly before halftime after Leipzig had threatened early, forcing Thibaut Courtois into several saves. Arda Güler doubled Madrid's advantage in the second half before Kylian Mbappé added a third.

Tidiam Gomis pulled one back for Leipzig in the closing stages, but substitute Yan Diomande restored Madrid's three-goal advantage with a volley to complete the victory for José Mourinho's side.

In Italy, Manchester United suffered a 4-1 defeat to Como, extending its winless run to seven matches and increasing pressure on manager Michael Carrick.

Nico Paz opened the scoring in the second minute, set up Anastasios Douvikas early in the second half, and scored again in the 57th. Jacobo Ramón added Como's fourth in the 76th minute, while Joshua Zirkzee headed home United's consolation goal in stoppage time.

At the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich and Arsenal drew 2-2. Eberechi Eze gave Arsenal the lead before Alphonso Davies equalized. Harry Kane converted a second-half penalty to put Bayern ahead, but Declan Rice scored in the 82nd minute to secure a point for the visitors.

The result extended Bayern's unbeaten home run in Champions League group-stage and league-phase matches to 40.

Elsewhere in England, Aston Villa defeated Norwegian side Viking 3-1 at Villa Park, with Ross Barkley among the scorers. Peter Christiansen scored for the visitors, but Villa secured its third consecutive victory in the competition.

In France, Galatasaray recovered from a 2-1 deficit to beat Lille 4-2. Yunus Akgün opened the scoring before Soriba Diaoune struck twice for Lille. Alexey Batrakov equalized, a Nabil Bentaleb own goal restored Galatasaray's advantage, and Victor Osimhen completed the victory.

Belgian side Club Brugge defeated Lens 3-0, securing its second Champions League victory of the season after its earlier 4-3 win over Inter Milan.

Inter recovered from that defeat with a 1-0 home victory over Shakhtar Donetsk despite finishing with 10 men following Alessandro Bastoni's dismissal.

In Spain, Real Betis edged Feyenoord 1-0 through an Isco penalty, recording its third consecutive victory in the league phase.

Austrian side LASK came from behind to defeat Sporting CP 3-2 in Lisbon, claiming its first victory of the competition this season.

Shafaq News- Nagoya

Iraq won four medals, including three golds and one silver, in athletics at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Japan, with victories in the 100-meter and 400-meter races and shot put.

Mohammed Fahd Al-Shalhoub secured gold in the 100 meters, accompanied by runner Al-Kayed Ahmed Fahd Al-Shalhoub, while Mohammed Reda Zaidan claimed gold in the 400 meters.

In the shot put competitions, Jarrah Nassar won gold, while fellow Iraqi Waldan Nizar took silver.

Iraq also won two silver medals on Wednesday, with Rasoul Kadhim finishing second in the men's 80-kg para powerlifting event and Idris Sami taking silver in the 100-meter T35 race. On Tuesday, Paralympic champion Najla Imad secured gold in women's table tennis.

The fifth Asian Para Games are being held from October 18 to 24 in Japan's Aichi-Nagoya area, with athletes from 45 National Paralympic Committees competing across 18 sports.