FIFA president Sepp Blatter has hailed Iraq's inspiring performance to reach the Asian Cup final as further proof of sport's ability to achieve the seemingly impossible.

Blatter, who will attend today's final between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in Jakarta, said Iraq's achievement showed the unifying powers of football at their very best.

"To have the national team of Iraq in the final is definitely a great achievement when emotions are at their highest," Blatter said.

"This proves, if it was necessary, how football enhances the good national feeling of the people who have been suffering so much in the past few years."

Iraq's fairytale ride has captured the imagination of the sporting world and propelled the Asian Cup into uncharted waters with even US media outlets joining the rush to report on their unlikely success.