2023 WAFF U-23 Championship
{{Infobox international football competition
| tourney_name = WAFF U-23 Championship
| year = 2023
| yearr =
| other_titles = {{lang|ar|بطولة غرب آسيا لكرة القدم تحت 23 عاما}}
| image =
| size =
| alt =
| caption = The Al-Madina Stadium in Al-Habibiya, Baghdad will host the matches
| country = Iraq
| dates = 12–20 June
| num_teams = 9
| confederations = 1
| sub-confederations = 2
| venues = 2
| cities = 2
| champion_other = {{fbu|23|IRQ}}
| count = 1
| second_other = {{fbu|23|IRI}}
| third_other =
| fourth_other =
| matches = 12
| goals = 27
| attendance =
| top_scorer = {{flagicon|Iraq}} Hussein Abdullah
(3 goals)
| player = {{flagicon|Iraq}} Muntadher Mohammed
| goalkeeper = {{flagicon|Iraq}} Kumel Al-Rekabe
| fair_play =
| prevseason = 2022
| nextseason = 2024
| updated =
}}
The 2023 WAFF U-23 Championship was the fourth edition of the WAFF U-23 Championship, the international age-restricted football championship organized by the West Asian Football Federation for the men's under-23 national teams of West Asia. Nine teams competed in the tournament, with one team being invited.{{cite web |title=إيران تشارك في بطولة غرب آسيا تحت 23 عاماً بالعراق |url=https://earthiq.news/archives/223707}}
Saudi Arabia, the defending champions, did not take part in the tournament. Iraq won their first title after defeating Iran 5–4 on penalties (1–1 after extra time) in the final.{{cite web |title="أسود الرافدين" يفرض تألقه ويحقق أول ألقابه في بطولة تحت ٢٣ عاماً |date=21 June 2023 |url=https://the-waff.com/archives/9816}}
Teams
Nine teams took part in the competition.{{cite web |title=قرعة النسخة الرابعة من بطولة تحت ٢٣ عاماً تسحب.. الإثنين |date=28 May 2023 |url=https://the-waff.com/archives/9679}}
class="wikitable sortable"
! Team ! data-sort-type="number"|Appearance ! Previous best performance | ||
{{fbu|23|IRN}} | 2nd | {{sort|01|Winners}} (2015) |
{{fbu|23|IRQ}} | 2nd | {{sort|05|Semi-finals}} (2021) |
{{fbu|23|JOR}} | 3rd | {{sort|01|Winners}} (2021) |
{{fbu|23|LBN}} | 3rd | {{sort|07|Group stage}} (2021, 2022) |
{{fbu|23|OMA}} | 4th | {{sort|04|Fourth place}} (2022) |
{{fbu|23|PLE}} | 3rd | {{sort|07|Group stage}} (2015, 2021) |
{{fbu|23|SYR|1980}} | 4th | {{sort|02|Runners-up}} (2015) |
{{fbu|23|UAE}} | 3rd | {{sort|07|Group stage}} (2015, 2021) |
{{fbu|23|YEM}} | 3rd | {{sort|04|Fourth place}} (2015) |
=Draw=
The draw for the group stage took place on Thursday 25 May 2023 in Muscat, Oman at 15:00 UTC+3.{{cite web |title=قرعة بطولة تحت ٢٣ عاماً تكشف معالم المجموعات الثلاث |date=29 May 2023 |url=https://the-waff.com/archives/9684}}
valign="top"
| {| class="wikitable" | |
+ Group A | |
{{Tooltip|Pos|Position}} || width="175" |Team | |
---|---|
align="center" | A1 | {{fbu|23|IRQ}} |
align="center" | A2 | {{fbu|23|UAE}} |
align="center" | A3 | {{fbu|23|JOR}} |
|
|
|
class="wikitable" | |
+ Group B | |
{{Tooltip|Pos|Position}} || width="175" |Team | |
---|---|
align="center" | B1 | {{fbu|23|PLE}} |
align="center" | B2 | {{fbu|23|IRN}} |
align="center" | B3 | {{fbu|23|SYR|1980}} |
|
|
|
class="wikitable" | |
+ Group C | |
{{Tooltip|Pos|Position}} || width="175" |Team | |
---|---|
align="center" | C1 | {{fbu|23|LBN}} |
align="center" | C2 | {{fbu|23|YEM}} |
align="center" | C3 | {{fbu|23|OMN}} |
|}
= Squads =
{{Main|2023 WAFF U-23 Championship squads}}
Each team had to register a squad of 25 players, three of whom must be goalkeepers.
Match officials
The following referees and assistant referees were appointed for the tournament.
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
Referees
- {{flagicon|BHR}} Husain Al Showaikh (Bahrain)
- {{flagicon|IRQ}} Ahmed Kadhim Gatea (Iraq)
- {{flagicon|JOR}} Ahmad Yacoub Ibrahim (Jordan)
- {{flagicon|LBN}} Ali Al Ashkar (Lebanon)
- {{flagicon|OMN}} Yahya Al Balushi (Oman)
- {{flagicon|PLE}} Baraa Aisha (Palestine)
- {{flagicon|KSA}} Faisal Al-Blwi (Saudi Arabia)
- {{flagicon|SYR|1980}} Feras Taweel (Syria)
- {{flagicon|UAE}} Sultan Al Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)
- {{flagicon|YEM}} Feras Yousef (Yemen)
{{Col-2}}
Assistant Referees
- {{flagicon|BHR}} Sayed Jalal Mahfoodh (Bahrain)
- {{flagicon|IRQ}} Karrar Al Uaibi (Iraq)
- {{flagicon|JOR}} Qais Khamees (Jordan)
- {{flagicon|LBN}} Bilal Orfi (Lebanon)
- {{flagicon|OMN}} Mohammed Al Ghazali (Oman)
- {{flagicon|PLE}} Rafat Roma (Palestine)
- {{flagicon|KSA}} Saad Al-Subaie (Saudi Arabia)
- {{flagicon|SYR|1980}} Mohamed Al Sayed Ali (Syria)
- {{flagicon|UAE}} Yasser Al Murshidi (United Arab Emirates)
- {{flagicon|YEM}} Ahmed Mushwer (Yemen)
{{Col-end}}
Venues
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
colspan=1|{{flagicon|IRQ}} Baghdad
! colspan=1|{{flagicon|IRQ}} Karbala |
---|
Al-Madina Stadium |
Capacity: 30,000
| Capacity: 30,000 |
| |
rowspan="4" colspan=2 |{{location map+|Iraq|float=center|width=250|caption=|places={{Location map~|Iraq|lat=33.1855|long=44.2158|label=Baghdad}}{{Location map~|Iraq|lat=32.3700|long=44.0200|label=Karbala}}}} |
Group stage
=Group A=
|section=Group A
|name_IRQ={{fbu|23|IRQ}}
|name_UAE={{fbu|23|UAE}}
|name_JOR={{fbu|23|JOR}}
|update=complete
|source=[https://globalsportsarchive.com/competition/soccer/alwatani-earthlink-waff-u23-championship-2023-iraq/group-stage/80473/ GSA]
|win_IRQ=1 |draw_IRQ=1 |loss_IRQ=0 |gf_IRQ=5 |ga_IRQ=2 |status_IRQ=H
|win_UAE=0 |draw_UAE=0 |loss_UAE=2 |gf_UAE=1 |ga_UAE=5
|win_JOR=1 |draw_JOR=1 |loss_JOR=0 |gf_JOR=4 |ga_JOR=3
|team_order=IRQ, JOR, UAE
|class_rules=Qualification tiebreakers
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=FT |result2=FT
|col_FT=green1 |text_FT=Knockout stage
}}
{{Football box
|date = {{Start date|2023|6|12|df=y}}
|time = {{UTZ|21:45|3}}
|team1 = {{fbu-rt|23|JOR}}
|score = 2–2
|team2 = {{fbu|23|IRQ}}
|goals1 =
- Abualnadi {{goal|22|pen.}} {{goal|50}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Al-Madina Stadium, Baghdad
|attendance = 7,000
|referee = Faisal Al-Blwi (Saudi Arabia)
|report = https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2023-06-12/jordan-u23-vs-iraq-u23/3007245/
}}
----
{{Football box
|date = {{Start date|2023|6|14|df=y}}
|time = {{UTZ|17:45|3}}
|team1 = {{fbu-rt|23|UAE}}
|score = 1–2
|team2 = {{fbu|23|JOR}}
|goals1 =
- Abualnadi {{goal|45|o.g.}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Al-Madina Stadium, Baghdad
|attendance = 500
|referee = Ali Al Ashkar (Lebanon)
|report = https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2023-06-14/united-arab-emirates-u23-vs-jordan-u23/3007246/
}}
----
{{Football box
|date = {{Start date|2023|6|16|df=y}}
|time = {{UTZ|21:45|3}}
|team1 = {{fbu-rt|23|IRQ}}
|score = 3–0
|team2 = {{fbu|23|UAE}}
|goals1 =
|stadium = Al-Madina Stadium, Baghdad
|attendance = 25,931
|referee = Yahya Al Balushi (Oman)
|report = https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2023-06-16/iraq-u23-vs-united-arab-emirates-u23/3007247/
}}
=Group B=
|section=Group B
|name_IRN={{fbu|23|IRN}}
|name_PLE={{fbu|23|PLE}}
|name_SYR={{fbu|23|SYR|1980}}
|update=14 June 2023
|source=[https://globalsportsarchive.com/competition/soccer/alwatani-earthlink-waff-u23-championship-2023-iraq/group-stage/80473/ GSA]
|win_PLE=1 |draw_PLE=1 |loss_PLE=0 |gf_PLE=2 |ga_PLE=1
|win_IRN=1 |draw_IRN=1 |loss_IRN=0 |gf_IRN=4 |ga_IRN=2
|win_SYR=0 |draw_SYR=0 |loss_SYR=2 |gf_SYR=1 |ga_SYR=4
|team_order=IRN, PLE, SYR
|class_rules=Qualification tiebreakers
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=FT |result2=2nd
|col_FT=green1 |text_FT=Knockout stage
}}
{{Football box
|date = {{Start date|2023|6|12|df=y}}
|time = {{UTZ|19:45|3}}
|team1 = {{fbu-rt|23|SYR|1980}}
|score = 0–1
|team2 = {{fbu|23|PLE}}
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
- Haj Yousef {{goal|37}}
|stadium = Karbala Stadium, Karbala
|attendance =
|referee = Ahmad Yacoub Ibrahim (Jordan)
|report = https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2023-06-12/syria-u23-vs-palestine-u23/3007248/
}}
----
{{Football box
| date = {{Start date|2023|6|14|df=y}}
| time = {{UTZ|19:45|3}}
| team1 = {{fbu-rt|23|IRN}}
| score = 3–1
| team2 = {{fbu|23|SYR|1980}}
| goals1 =
- Y.Salmani {{goal|9||45+4}}
- Shariatzadeh {{goal|15}}
| goals2 =
- M.Al Aswad {{goal|45}}
| stadium = Karbala Stadium, Karbala
| attendance =
| referee = Ahmed Kadhim Gatea (Iraq)
| report = https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2023-06-14/ir-iran-u23-vs-syria-u23/3007249/
}}
----
{{Football box
| date = {{Start date|2023|6|16|df=y}}
| time = {{UTZ|19:45|3}}
| team1 = {{fbu-rt|23|PLE}}
| score = 1–1
| team2 = {{fbu|23|IRN}}
| goals1 =
- Qunbar {{goal|62}}
| goals2 =
- A.Barzegar {{goal|90+7}}
| stadium = Karbala Stadium, Karbala
| attendance = 1,000
| referee = Feras Yousef (Yemen)
| report = https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2023-06-16/palestine-u23-vs-ir-iran-u23/3007250/
}}
=Group C=
|section=Group C
|name_LBN={{fbu|23|LBN}}
|name_YEM={{fbu|23|YEM}}
|name_OMN={{fbu|23|OMN}}
|update=complete
|source=[https://globalsportsarchive.com/competition/soccer/alwatani-earthlink-waff-u23-championship-2023-iraq/group-stage/80473/ GSA]
|win_LBN=0 |draw_LBN=0 |loss_LBN=2 |gf_LBN=1 |ga_LBN=3
|win_YEM=1 |draw_YEM=0 |loss_YEM=1 |gf_YEM=2 |ga_YEM=4
|win_OMN=2 |draw_OMN=0 |loss_OMN=0 |gf_OMN=4 |ga_OMN=0
|team_order=OMN, YEM, LBN
|class_rules=Qualification tiebreakers
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=FT
|col_FT=green1 |text_FT=Knockout stage
}}
{{Football box
|date = {{Start date|2023|6|12|df=y}}
|time = {{UTZ|17:45|3}}
|team1 = {{fbu-rt|23|OMN}}
|score = 1–0
|team2 = {{fbu|23|LBN}}
|goals1 = Al-Abdulsalam {{goal|42|pen.}}
|stadium = Al-Madina Stadium, Baghdad
|attendance = 1,500
|referee = Sultan Al Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)
|report = https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2023-06-12/oman-u23-vs-lebanon-u23/3007251/
}}
----
{{Football box
|date = {{Start date|2023|6|14|df=y}}
|time = {{UTZ|21:45|3}}
|team1 = {{fbu-rt|23|YEM}}
|score = 0–3
|team2 = {{fbu|23|OMN}}
|goals2 =
- Al-Gaithiri {{goal|8}}
- Al-Rawahi {{goal|54|pen.}}
- Al-Hadabi {{goal|90+2}}
|stadium = Al-Madina Stadium, Baghdad
|attendance = 500
|referee = Feras Taweel (Syria)
|report = https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2023-06-14/yemen-u23-vs-oman-u23/3007252/
}}
----
{{Football box
|date = {{Start date|2023|6|16|df=y}}
|time = {{UTZ|17:45|3}}
|team1 = {{fbu-rt|23|LBN}}
|score = 1–2
|team2 = {{fbu|23|YEM}}
|goals1 = Sadek {{goal|53}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Al-Madina Stadium, Baghdad
|attendance = 2,000
|referee = Baraa Aisha (Palestine)
|report = https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2023-06-16/lebanon-u23-vs-yemen-u23/3007253/
}}
=Ranking of Runners-ups=
The best-placed runner-up will qualify for the knockout stage.
|section=Runners-up
|show_groups=n
|name_JOR={{fbu|23|JOR}}
|name_PLE={{fbu|23|PLE}}
|name_YEM={{fbu|23|YEM}}
|update=future |start_date=12 June 2023
|win_PLE=1 |draw_PLE=1 |loss_PLE=0 |gf_PLE=2 |ga_PLE=1
|win_YEM=1 |draw_YEM=0 |loss_YEM=1 |gf_YEM=2 |ga_YEM=4
|win_JOR=1 |draw_JOR=1 |loss_JOR=0 |gf_JOR=4 |ga_JOR=3
|team_order=JOR, PLE, YEM
|class_rules=Qualification tiebreakers
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=FT
|col_FT=green1 |text_FT=Knockout stage
}}
Knockout stage
=Semi-finals=
{{football box
| date = 18 June 2023
| time = {{UTZ|18:00|3}}
| team1 = {{fbu-rt|23|IRN}}
| score = 0–0
| penaltyscore = 4–3
| report = https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2023-06-18/ir-iran-u23-vs-jordan-u23/3007254/
| team2 = {{fbu|23|JOR}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
| penalties1 = Y. Salmani {{pengoal}}
Hazbavi {{penmiss}}
A. Bavieh {{pengoal}}
M. Ghorbani {{pengoal}}
Hashemnejad {{pengoal}}
| penalties2 = {{pengoal}} Al-Diabat
{{penmiss}} Abualnadi
{{penmiss}} Jamous
{{pengoal}}Al-Shanaineh
{{pengoal}} Abu Taha
| stadium = Al-Madina Stadium
| location = Baghdad
| attendance = 8,000
| referee = Husain Al Showaikh (Bahrain)
}}
----
{{football box
|date =18 June 2023
|time = {{UTZ|21:00|3}}
|team1 = {{fbu-rt|23|IRQ}}
|score = 1–0
|report= https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2023-06-18/iraq-u23-vs-oman-u23/3007255/
|team2 = {{fbu|23|OMN}}
|goals1 = Al-Rawahi {{goal|52|o.g.}}
|goals2 =
|penalties1=
|penalties2=
|stadium = Al-Madina Stadium
|location = Baghdad
|attendance = 29,566
|referee = Faisal Al-Blwi (Saudi Arabia)
}}
=Final=
{{football box
| date = 20 June 2023
| time = {{UTZ|20:00|3}}
| team1 = {{fbu-rt|23|IRN}}
| score = 1–1
| penaltyscore = 4–5
| report = https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2023-06-20/ir-iran-u23-vs-iraq-u23/3007257/
| team2 = {{fbu|23|IRQ}}
| goals1 = Goudarzi {{goal|31}}
| goals2 = Abdullah {{goal|45+3}}
| penalties1 = Y. Salmani {{pengoal}}
Fallah {{penmiss}}
Irankhah {{pengoal}}
M. Ghorbani {{pengoal}}
Hashemnejad {{pengoal}}
| penalties2 = {{pengoal}} K. Mohammed
{{pengoal}} Tahseen
{{pengoal}} Abdullah
{{pengoal}} M. Mohammed
{{pengoal}} Maknzi
| stadium = Al-Madina Stadium
| location = Baghdad
| attendance = 32,000
| referee = Sultan Al Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)
}}
==Winners==
{{winners|fbu|23|2023 WAFF U-23 Championship champion|IRQ|First}}
Awards
The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament:{{cite web |title= هيمنة عراقية على جوائز بطولة غرب آسيا|url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=1249201 |website=kooora.com| date=20 June 2023 }}
=Awards=
;Player of the Tournament
{{flagicon|Iraq}} Muntadher Mohammed
;Golden Boot
{{flagicon|Iraq}} Hussein Abdullah (3 goals)
;Golden Glove
{{flagicon|Iraq}} Kumel Al-Rekabe
Final standing
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
width=40|Rank
!width=180|Team |
---|
bgcolor=gold
|{{Gold1}} |align=left|{{fbu|23|IRQ}} |
bgcolor=silver
|{{Silver2}} |align=left|{{fbu|23|IRI}} |
bgcolor=CC9966
|{{Bronze3}} |align=left|{{fbu|23|OMA}} |
4
|align=left|{{fbu|23|JOR}} |
5
|align=left|{{fbu|23|Palestine}} |
6
|align=left|{{fbu|23|YEM}} |
7
|align=left|{{fbu|23|Lebanon}} |
8
|align=left|{{fbu|23|SYR|1980}} |
9
|align=left|{{fbu|23|UAE}} |
{{col-end}}
Goalscorers
{{Goalscorers
|goals=27|matches=12
|ongoing=no |updated=
|3 goal=
- {{fbuicon|23|IRQ}} Hussein Abdullah
|2 goal=
- {{fbuicon|23|IRN}} Yasin Salmani
- {{fbuicon|23|IRQ}} Blnd Hassan
- {{fbuicon|23|JOR}} Mohammad Abualnadi
|1 goal=
- {{fbuicon|23|IRN}} Aria Barzegar
- {{fbuicon|23|IRN}} Hossein Goudarzi
- {{fbuicon|23|IRN}} Ahmad Shariatzadeh
- {{fbuicon|23|IRQ}} Ali Al-Mosawe
- {{fbuicon|23|JOR}} Faisal Abu Shanab
- {{fbuicon|23|LBN}} Mohamad Omar Sadek
- {{fbuicon|23|OMN}} Salem Al-Abdulsalam
- {{fbuicon|23|OMN}} Khalid Al-Gaithiri
- {{fbuicon|23|OMN}} Osama Al-Hadabi
- {{fbuicon|23|OMN}} Nasser Al-Rawahi
- {{fbuicon|23|PLE}} Gibrán Haj Yousef
- {{fbuicon|23|PLE}} Zaid Qunbar
- {{fbuicon|23|SYR|1980}} Mahmoud Al Aswad
- {{fbuicon|23|YEM}} Gassem Al-Sharafi
- {{fbuicon|23|YEM}} Hamza Mahrous
|1 own goal=
- {{fbuicon|23|JOR}} Mohammad Abualnadi (against United Arab Emirates)
- {{fbuicon|23|OMN}} Nasser Al-Rawahi (against Iraq)
- {{fbuicon|23|UAE}} Nawaf Dhawi (against Jordan)
}}
Broadcasting rights
The following channels have been given broadcasting rights to broadcast the tournament.
class=wikitable
!Territory !Rights holder(s) |
Iraq |
United Arab Emirates |
Jordan
|Jordan Sports TV |
Yemen
|Al-Saeeda |
References
{{reflist}}
{{West Asian Football Federation Championship}}
Category:WAFF Championship tournaments
Category:2022–23 in Iraqi football