ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Monday encouraged Iraqi sports fans and club associations to rally behind Zakho SC after the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) nominated the club’s supporters for the 2025 Best Fan Award.

The nomination highlights the fans’ act earlier this year, when thousands of stuffed toys were thrown onto the pitch to be donated to children suffering from cancer and other illnesses. FIFA cited the gesture as a model of humanitarian spirit in global football.

Sudani said the nomination reflects positively on Iraq’s sports community and urged all Iraqis to show support for Zakho SC fans to help “raise Iraq’s name high on every front.”

He called on the country’s sports clubs and fan associations to back the nomination as a unified national gesture, adding a link to the voting site in a post on X.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Sunday publicly backed Zakho SC fans in their bid for the award, sharing photos of himself casting an online vote and urging all Kurdistanis to do the same.

He said the nomination reflects the humanitarian spirit shown by the club’s supporters in their effort to support children suffering from cancer.

FIFA has named Zakho fans one of three global finalists, competing against supporters from Spain and Argentina. The club has welcomed the recognition, saying it highlights meaningful community work and could inspire greater humanitarian efforts.

Zakho SC, founded in 1987 and based in Duhok province, has enjoyed a strong year on and off the field, including reaching the Iraq FA Cup final alongside Duhok SC in July, the first all-Kurdish final in Baghdad.