[Music] for the first time in 34 years busloads of excited Iraqi soccer fans rolled over the border into Kuwait for a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday they haven't been allowed at the neighboring Count's events since former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded the Emirates in 1990 I can't describe how I feel I haven't seen Kuwait in more than 30 years Kuwait is close to us there were Wars and problems but God willing the situation will get bitter and bitter a match between Brothers God willing and I hope that the legacy of the previous regime dies with this conscious generation because the world has become a small village and all people have come to know that the Iraqi people are not to blame for what happened because of Saddam Hussein the match takes place at Jabba alamad International stadium in Kuwait City with Iraq leading Group B of the Region's qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup Iraq has been leveraging soccer diplomacy to men ties with Arab Gulf States after Decades of conflict the country ended its most recent war against Islamic State at the end of 2017 it hosted the Gulf Cup in its oil Port City of Basra last year for the first time since 1979 a milestone in Regional reintegration YF fall spokesperson for the Iraqi soccer Federation said he hopes the Rivalry once considered the Arab world's greatest stays on the pitch it's a sporting competition we should not insert politics into this F said adding that it's unfair to involve the young players whether Iraqi or Kuwaiti in Old conflicts they were not a part of this generation cannot pay the price of previous generations he [Music] said Saddam invaded and briefly annexed Kuwait in August 1990 before being ousted by a us-led Coalition in the Gulf War Iraq was then placed under severe sanctions and required to pay over 52 billion in war reparations completed in 2022 early on there were tensions over whether Kuwait would allow Iraq fans to attend the event but it was later confirmed that 5,000 supporters could join with specific passport and vehicle requirements despite improving relations since saddam's 2003 ouer challenges remain such as issues over Maritime borders abdulaziz alen Jeri founder of Kuwait based Think Tank reconnaissance research said Iraq must prove it has the intention to resolve the looming political issues but he called the match a good initiative saying it's open the door to discussions on Kuwaiti Iraqi relations for Iraqi soccer fans getting to see the match is already a win this man's Banner says thank you from Iraq to the Kuwaiti government and people [Music]