Celebration mayhem and coin toss drama - the incredible story of Iraq's Gulf Cup exit

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FT Desk

Iraq have incredibly been knocked out of the Gulf Cup - effectively via a coin toss.

The Gulf Cup traditionally features teams such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq and Yemen. It is usually played every two years, although the schedule has changed on some occasions.

It's important in the region because it provides neighbouring countries with a competitive international tournament outside of major competitions such as the AFC Asian Cup and the FIFA World Cup. Kuwait has historically been the most successful team in the competition, while Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also won the tournament multiple times.

Iraq have won the competition four times and they'll need to wait until the next tournament to try and claim their fifth title after they were unceremoniously dumped out of the 2026 edition in bizarre fashion this week.

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منتخب عمان يتقدم 3-1 على الكويت عن طريق مصعب الشقصي في الدقيقة 84#عمان_الكويت#خليجي_الديار_العربية27#كأس_الخليج || #خليجي27#قنوات_الكاس || #منصة_شووف pic.twitter.com/emw7RcTJGs

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In the final round of matches in the group stage, Iraq lost 2-0 to Saudi Arabia, who topped the group, while Oman defeated Kuwait 3-1.

That resulted in Iraq and Oman having the same points, goal difference, goals scored, goals conceded and even yellow cards at the conclusion of the group stage.

They each had one win, one draw, one loss, four goals scored, five goals conceded and eight yellow cards.

With nothing to separate the teams, Oman were actually awarded second place in the group via a draw that took place on 29 September - a conclusion that enraged Iraq boss Graham Arnold.

"We must resort to FIFA regulations," the Australian told reporters.

"Our level is higher than Oman, and our ranking is higher than theirs, and if we want to be fair we must follow the rules. We will see what happens, but I believe it would not be fair for us not to qualify".

In the FIFA World Rankings, Iraq are currently in 63rd while Oman are in 80th position.

Remarkably, Oman were set to progress without the need for a coin toss as up until the dying minutes of their 3-1 victory against Kuwait, they only had seven yellows recorded in the tournament. Their disciplinary record, when compared to Iraq's, was superior.

When 2-1 up, Oman needed that third goal to progress to the next round and when Musab Al-Shaqsi scored it via a header, he took his shirt off and was subsequently booked.

That meant Oman and Iraq were both level on eight bookings, so the goalscorer will be grateful the luck of the draw saved his blushes.