Aspetar, Qatar’s leading orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Iraq Football Association, marking a significant step in strengthening medical and sporting ties between the two organisations.
Under the two-year agreement, Iraq’s national teams will gain access to Aspetar’s state-of-the-art medical facilities and advanced sports infrastructure. The partnership is expected to provide continuous medical, scientific, and performance support aimed at improving player health, fitness, and technical development.
Expanding regional cooperation
Speaking on the occasion, Khalid Ali Al-Mawlawi, Acting Director General of Aspetar, described the signing as an important milestone.
“The signing of this cooperation agreement with the Iraq Football Association marks another milestone in strengthening our solid and longstanding relations,” he said. “This agreement reaffirms Aspetar’s leading role in sports medicine in the region and underscores our commitment to enhancing player performance by providing world-class medical and scientific services, while supporting initiatives that serve athletes and advance sports medicine regionally and internationally.”
The agreement grants Iraqi players priority access to Aspetar’s specialised care, including medical assessments, injury prevention programmes, and rehabilitation services that follow international best practices.
Iraqi perspective
Adnan Dirjal, President of the Iraq Football Association, highlighted the importance of the cooperation.
“This agreement with Aspetar aims to further enhance sporting cooperation between the two parties,” he said. “We have agreed to coordinate efforts to benefit from Aspetar’s expertise in medicine and sports science, which will help improve the technical and medical capabilities of Iraqi teams. Aspetar, as the first of its kind in the world, plays a vital and pivotal role in preserving player health and achieving optimal results.”
Beyond medical support
In addition to healthcare, the memorandum covers collaboration in sports science, including performance assessments for Iraqi national team players and the professional development of medical staff within the association. Athletes will also receive guidance aligned with the highest international standards, enhancing their readiness for both domestic and international competitions.
The agreement extends to training access as well. Iraqi teams will be able to utilise the world-class facilities of Aspire Zone in Doha, providing a professional environment conducive to player development and preparation.
Global partnerships
By joining Aspetar’s growing network of partners, the Iraq Football Association follows several other major organisations that benefit from the hospital’s expertise. Existing partnerships include Paris Saint-Germain and the Algeria Football Federation, underlining Aspetar’s influence on international football.
Aspetar, established in 2007 and officially accredited as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence in 2009, is the first hospital of its kind in the Middle East. It is also recognised as an IOC Research Centre, further cementing its reputation as a leader in sports medicine and research worldwide.
With this new partnership, Iraq’s national teams will look to build a stronger foundation for performance, resilience, and success on the global football stage.
