The team from the war-torn nation reached their first-ever Asian Cup final with a penalty shootout win over South Korea in the semi-finals after earlier defeating pre-tournament favourites Australia in the group stages.

"It is tremendous what has happened with Iraq," said Blatter. "Iraq has the same help that we give to all national associations financially but Iraq has been taken care of so much by the brothers and friends of the Asian Football Confederation - to organise their competitions, national competitions outside, to help them to travel from one country to another."

The Iraqi national team have been forced to play all of their home games in the Qatari capital Doha as a result of the security situation while club sides from the country who have been playing in the Asian Champions League have been hosted by clubs in Kuwait and Qatar.

Jordan, meanwhile, staged the national team's pre-Asian Cup training camp before they headed to Korea for a pair of friendly matches and their eventual arrival in Bangkok for the start of the tournament.

While recognising the assistance received by the Iraqis, Blatter also paid tribute to the resilience of the country's domestic league.

The Iraqi set-up has continued despite the current situation, and the 2006-07 season ended just days before the start of the Asian Cup with northern club Arbil claiming the title.

"During the current situation, local football is still played in Iraq," said Blatter. "Every week they play football in the north and south and now we have Iraq in the final.

"It is tremendous, exceptional and good for football. It shows how a country or a football association can do a wonderful job when there is the will, the power of football.

"Iraq has always had good football and they played at the World Cup in 1986 in Mexico and I remember seeing them play. Tomorrow the world, not just the football world but the whole world, will be focused on Jakarta."