Al-Sudani calls Iraq football federation head amid team’s preparations for Asian Cup

BAGHDAD, January 18 — Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa’ Al-Sudani spoke with the head of the Iraqi Football Federation in a phone call on Thursday to emphasize the importance of shielding players from “external influences” at the AFC Asian Cup underway in Doha, Qatar.

Iraq’s men’s national soccer team is playing in the tournament and is scheduled to take on Japan on Friday.