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Iraq hosts friendly tournament after 3-decade FIFA ban

Iraq hosts friendly tournament after 3-decade FIFA ban | iNFOnews.ca
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2017 file photo, Iraqi soccer fans display national flags as they cheer during a friendly soccer match between Kenya and Iraq, in Basra, Iraq. An Iraq-Qatar match, part of a friendly soccer tournament this week with Syria and Qatar, is to start Wednesday, March 21, 2018, in Basra. While friendly matches have been allowed for some time, last week FIFA lifted a three-decade ban on international competitions for the Iraqi cities of Basra, Karbala and Irbil, considered to be the safest in Iraq -- but not Baghdad, which still sees militant attacks. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jourani, File)

BAGHDAD – Iraq is hosting a friendly soccer tournament this week, with Syria and Qatar.

It comes just days after FIFA lifted a three-decade-long ban on Iraq hosting international competitions.

An Iraq-Qatar match is to start Wednesday evening in the southern city of Basra.

FIFA lifted the ban on Monday for Iraqi cities of Basra, Karbala and Irbil, considered to be the safest in Iraq — but not the capital, Baghdad, which still sees frequent militant attacks.

Iraq’s minister of youth and sports, Abdul-Hussein Abtan, congratulated the Iraqi people following FIFA’s move and said it would change how Iraq is viewed in the region and beyond.

While the ban was in place, Iraq was still able to host friendly games and tournaments.

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Abbey Westbury

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