Iraq U-20 football squad opens training camp in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's U-20 national football team began training in Baghdad on Saturday ahead of the Asian U-20 Championship qualifiers, scheduled to start on August 25. Iraq has been drawn in a qualifying group with the United Arab Emirates, Turkmenistan and host nation Thailand. The Iraqi Football Federation confirmed the start of the training camp at the Ali Hussein Shahab Stadium, affiliated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Federation president Younis Mahmoud attended the opening training session and met with the coaching and administrative staff. He told players the federation would provide full support for the preparations and all necessary resources to help the team succeed. Mahmoud stressed the responsibility of representing Iraq and urged the players to continue working hard, stay disciplined and maintain team spirit in pursuit of strong results at the continental tournament. He added that the federation would remain present alongside the squad throughout the selection process and continue to back the players and the technical staff.