The International Football Federation FIFA has lifted a long running ban on Iraq hoisting international games in the war ravaged country.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced on Friday the decision to allow Iraq to host international matches in three cities, ending a ban that lasted since 2003.
“We have decided today that three cities where we tested conditions for friendly matches for a year, Erbil, Basra and Karbala, were secure and adequate," Infantino said.
The Iraqi team played against Saudi Arabia recently at the Basra International Stadium as part of an initiative to support lifting the ban on Iraqi football by the General Authority for Sport in Saudi Arabia.
