FIFA lifts 3-decade ban on Iraq

AFP, BOGOTA (Colombia): FIFA lifted its three-decade ban on Iraq hosting international football on Friday with the cities of Arbil, Basra and Karbala given the go-ahead to stage official matches.

The three cities had been allowed to organise friendlies in the last year provided the security situation was “stable”.

Iraq will host Qatar and Syria for a friendly tournament starting on March 21 in Basra.

For years, Iraq has been busily building stadiums and pressurising stars and the sport’s governing bodies to help them return to the international fold. Friday’s decision followed an international friendly between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in Basra on February 28, their first on Iraqi soil in 40 years.

It was watched by Asian Football Confederation head Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa who said “the time had come” to end the three-decade ban.

 

FIFA lifts 3-decade ban on Iraq

AFP, BOGOTA (Colombia): FIFA lifted its three-decade ban on Iraq hosting international football on Friday with the cities of Arbil, Basra and Karbala given the go-ahead to stage official matches. The three cities had been allowed to organise friendlies in the last year provided the security situation was stable. Iraq will host Qatar and Syria for a friendly tournament starting on March 21 in Basra. For years, Iraq has been busily building stadiums and pressurising stars and the sports governing bodies to help them return to the international fold. Fridays decision followed an international friendly between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in Basra on February 28, their first on Iraqi soil in 40 years. It was watched by Asian Football Confederation head Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa who said the time had come to end the three-decade ban.