Erbil to host women's minifootball world cup in September

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Kurdistan Region's capital city Erbil will host the women’s minifootball world cup, kicking off on September 17.

"Erbil, the House of Peace, welcomes the world’s women in MiniFootball," reads an announcement from the International Minifootball Federation (IMF).

"Erbil’s bid is distinguished by its completeness of the requirements and standards and the interest of the Ministry of Sports,” it added.

A total of 11 national teams will compete in the weeklong competition, split into two groups that were decided by a draw in a ceremony in Erbil on Saturday. Group A is Kurdistan, Lebanon, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Jordan, and Pakistan. Group B is Tunisia, Egypt, Uganda, Haiti, and Taiwan.

IMF head Muhammad al-Dosari told Rudaw that they are coordinating with relevant authorities in Erbil to host the international competition "in the best way possible."

The IMF is a non-profit organization and international federation that develops 6x6 mini football for both sexes of different age categories at the international level. It has a total of 53 member states.

Mohammed Karezi contributed to this article.