Biggest stadium in world with capacity of 135,000 will be built in Iraq as present from Saudi Arabia’s king
THE biggest stadium in the world is set to be built in Iraq... as a gift from Saudi Arabia's King Salman.
The 135,000-seater ground has been given the go-ahead after Iraq beat the nation 4-1 in a recent friendly match.
Prior to the game, King Salman promised to build Iraq a stadium if they ran out winners on February 28.
The match was the first full international played on home soil since the 1990 invasion of Kuwait that sparked an international embargo.
Despite being massive underdogs, the Iraqi XI ran out comprehensive winners, thanks to two goals Muhanad Ali, one from Emad Mohsin Majeed and a Saeed Awadh Al Yami own goal.
Saudi Arabia themselves have qualified for this summer's World Cup in Russia - while Iraq missed out.
With King Salman clearly confident, during a political discussion, he promised Iraq's prime minister Haider al-Abadi he would build the ground should they win.
Al-Abadi revealed the news saying: “I have received a phone call from the King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdul Aziz.
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“He hailed Iraqi’s victory [in the friendly match] and expressed his preparedness and commitment to expanding positive relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at different levels.
"Economical, commercial, communal, cultural... at all levels that are of interest for the two countries.
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“He also offered Saudi Arabia’s contribution to build a main stadium in Iraq that accommodates 100,000 people.
"We have welcomed the initiative and it was proposed today to the Cabinet.”
Since then, King Salman has vowed to boost that 100,000-seat target to 135,000 - more than double the current largest stadium in the country.
Currently the largest football ground in Iraq is the 65,000-seater venue at Basra Sports City.