Iraq allowed to play home games for the first time in 28 years

BOGOTA, (Patria) - The International Football Federation (FIFA), at a session in the Colombian capital Bogota, decided to allow Iraq to play friendly matches on home soil for the first time since 1990.

Due to sanctions imposed because of Iraq's aggression against Kuwait under Saddam Hussein's regime, Iraq has been unable to play at home for 28 years.

FIFA has allowed Iraq to play in the cities of Basra, Erbil, and Karbala, while it still cannot play in other cities due to the security situation.

On February 28, Iraq played an unofficial friendly match against Saudi Arabia in Basra as a test before the lifting of sanctions. As everything went smoothly, FIFA decided to grant the request of the Iraqi Football Association to lift the sanctions.

FIFA had lifted the sanctions in 2012, but before the match between Iraq and Jordan, the power went out at the stadium, so the ban was extended. In the meantime, Iraq played as the host in Jordan, Qatar, and Iran.

Following the decision to lift the sanctions, there was great celebration in Iraq, and football fans are saying on social media that we can expect top results from Iraq soon.