The Iraq national football team has sparked controversy by cancelling the Iraq Cup due to the team's participation in the World Cup, leaving many fans stunned. The Iraqi Football Association justified its decision in an official statement, citing the national team's participation in the World Cup finals, as well as the establishment of the Olympic team's camp in Turkey. The association also announced plans to launch a new 'super' tournament with a different system at the start of the next season, as part of a plan to develop local competitions in organizational, technical, and marketing aspects. Despite official explanations, the decision has sparked surprise among many fans and journalists, who consider the cancellation of an entire tournament due to national team commitments to be unusual. One critic wrote on social media: 'The football association decides to cancel the rest of the Iraq Cup matches! A strange and strange move, and I fear that there may be other motives and compromises behind this decision.' He added: 'Since when do clubs rely on national team players in the Cup tournament? And why not continue the tournament by giving young and local players a chance?' Some journalists have also expressed concerns that this move may be a precursor to other controversial changes in the format of local competitions during the coming period. On the other hand, others have defended the decision, considering that the pressure of the season and the multitude of financial and technical commitments sometimes require taking exceptional decisions to support clubs and national teams. One supporter said: 'The best decision made by the Union of Younis Mahmoud is to cancel the Iraq Cup for this season, because the tournament was financially and physically exhausting the clubs, especially since it comes at the end of the season, while Iraq is preparing for important entitlements.' Between a supporter who sees the decision as serving the interest of Iraqi teams, and an opponent who considers it a 'confusing' start for the new administration, it seems that Younis Mahmoud's first decisions have opened a wide door for debate within the Iraqi sports street, awaiting what the next phase will reveal about new steps for the association. Younis Mahmoud, the president of the Iraqi Football Association, affirmed that the decision came after a thorough study of the current situation, and that it aims to support national teams in their upcoming entitlements. Mahmoud added that the association will work to develop local competitions, to ensure the best possible experience for fans and players. In conclusion, the decision to cancel the Iraq Cup has sparked widespread controversy in the Iraqi sports scene, with opposition and support for the decision, awaiting what the next phase will reveal about new developments.