(MENAFN) The three-decade ban on Iraq hosting international football matches has been lifted by FIFA, with the the cities of Erbil, Basra and Karbala being approved to stage official matches, The National reported.
Although the capital Baghdad was not included in the decision due to its situation, the three Iraqi cities will now have the chance to organize friendlies in the last year on condition that the country's security situation was stable.
"We are allowing international matches to be staged in the cities of Erbil, Basra and Karbala," FIFA president Gianni Infantino told reporters after a meeting of the FIFA Council in Bogota on Friday.
Iraq will host Qatar and Syria for a friendly tournament starting on March 21 in Basra.
"FIFA has given the green light for the resumption but the organisers of the championship must take the final decision," added Mr Infantino.
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