Iraq wins King’s Cup with 1-0 victory over Thailand

NEWSROOM — Iraq’s national football team won the 51st King’s Cup in Thailand on Sunday, defeating the hosts 1-0 with a decisive goal from Mohannad Ali.

The annual tournament, organized by the Football Association of Thailand, ran from September 4 to 7 in a knockout format with four participating teams: Thailand, Iraq, Hong Kong, and Fiji. No extra time was played in matches.

Iraq advanced to the final after beating Hong Kong 2-1 in the semifinal on Sept. 4.

This year’s win marks Iraq’s second King’s Cup title, following their 2023 victory when they also faced Thailand in the final, winning 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

First held in 1968, the King’s Cup has traditionally featured four national teams, including the host Thailand and three invited teams, in a straight knockout competition of two semifinals, a third-place playoff, and a final.