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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced on Tuesday that Iraq could play at home for the World Cup 2022 qualifying competitions, following the lifting of a decades-old ban on official international matches being held in the country.
The international football body’s president said the ban is “conditionally” lifted following an assessment of Iraq’s ability to host matches.
“FIFA conducted an assessment visit in Iraq during the 9 WAFF Championship Tournament as well as an overall risk assessment,” said Gianni Infantino’s in his official authorization letter.
FIFA, the international governing body of association football, lifted the ban on Iraqi stadiums hosting international matches in 2018. Erbil, Karbala, and Basra each have stadiums capable of hosting international level games.
The ban was first imposed after former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. FIFA lifted the ban in 2012, but reinstated it after a power outage at Erbil stadium during a match between Iraq and Jordan.
Following the lifting of the ban, Basra now has the chance to host qualifying matches for the 2020 World Cup in Qatar.
"I am pleased to inform you that after the assessment, Basra can be nominated as home venue for the official; qualification matches for the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 ,” said Infantino.
According to FIFA, the decision is subject to revocation "if the security situation should deteriorate."
Iraq has hosted other, non-FIFA football matches recently.
Now that FIFA matches are allowed to be held at home, Iraq is interested in hosting some of the group stage matches.Kuwait and Oman are also bidding for games.
Some Iraqi members of parliament have said the country wants to host World Cup qualifying matches.
“As the youth and sports committee in the Iraqi House of Representatives, we have called for the hosting of a group of matches of the Qatar 2022 World Cup,” Arazw Mahmood, a Kurdish member of the sports committee, said in March.
The international football body’s president said the ban is “conditionally” lifted following an assessment of Iraq’s ability to host matches.
“FIFA conducted an assessment visit in Iraq during the 9 WAFF Championship Tournament as well as an overall risk assessment,” said Gianni Infantino’s in his official authorization letter.
Infantino sent the letter to the head of the Iraqi Football Union Masoud Ahmed Abdulkhaliq on Tuesday. Matches will be allowed only in Basra, according to the letter.
FIFA, the international governing body of association football, lifted the ban on Iraqi stadiums hosting international matches in 2018. Erbil, Karbala, and Basra each have stadiums capable of hosting international level games.
The ban was first imposed after former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. FIFA lifted the ban in 2012, but reinstated it after a power outage at Erbil stadium during a match between Iraq and Jordan.
Following the lifting of the ban, Basra now has the chance to host qualifying matches for the 2020 World Cup in Qatar.
"I am pleased to inform you that after the assessment, Basra can be nominated as home venue for the official; qualification matches for the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 ,” said Infantino.
The Basra stadium is part of the Basra Sports City, which has several stadiums.
According to FIFA, the decision is subject to revocation "if the security situation should deteriorate."
Abdulkhaliq confirmed the receipt of the letter to Rudaw.
Iraq has hosted other, non-FIFA football matches recently.
The 2019 West Asian Football Federation Championship, also called Asiacell WAFF Championship, was hosted by Iraq from July 30 to August 14. Bahrain defeated Iraq in the final of the championship 1-0.
Now that FIFA matches are allowed to be held at home, Iraq is interested in hosting some of the group stage matches.Kuwait and Oman are also bidding for games.
Some Iraqi members of parliament have said the country wants to host World Cup qualifying matches.
“As the youth and sports committee in the Iraqi House of Representatives, we have called for the hosting of a group of matches of the Qatar 2022 World Cup,” Arazw Mahmood, a Kurdish member of the sports committee, said in March.
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