Iraq to play USA - Future headline

Congratulations to Iraq for winning the Asian Cup but I'm going to guess that celebrating seems a little out of place. Still, this win earns Iraq a trip to the 2009 Confederations Cup along with Italy, South Africa, Brazil and the USA plus the champions of Europe, Africa and Oceania.

The tournament's opening round is divided into two groups of four with the top two advancing to the knockout stages. Since the two European teams and two African teams cannot be in the same group, that means there is a 1 in 3 chance of the US and Iraq ending up in the same group. Failing some huge change in the current state of life in Iraq, this might just prove to be the most political match since the Argentine-England meeting in the 1986 World Cup (their first meeting since the Falkland Islands war).

Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud let his feelings about the current situation in his country be known right after the match: "I want America to go out," he said. "Today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, but out. I wish the American people didn't invade Iraq and, hopefully, it will be over soon."