Iraq to host first international football tournament in three decades

Iraq is to host a West Asia Football Federation championship in the southern city of Basra in November, the first international tournament to be staged in the country since the 1990s.

Iraqi authorities late Sunday hailed WAFF's invitation to host the tournament, following the decision in March of world football's governing body Fifa to lift a three-decade ban on Iraq hosting international football.

Iraq is now "eager to organise a major footballing event and to show that it is ready at all levels", Iraqi Football Association spokesman Kamel Zaghir told AFP, confirming Basra would host the tournament between 12 Arab countries.

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For years, Iraq has been busily building and upgrading stadiums and campaigning for its return to the international fold.

Fifa's decision followed an international friendly between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in Basra on February 28.

Iraq has not played competitive internationals on home turf since its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

The ban, covering all but domestic matches, stayed in place after the US-led invasion of 2003 that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.

Iraq and Saudi Arabia line up prior to kick off. Iraq has not played full internationals on home turf since 1990. Haidar Mohammed Ali / AFP
Iraqi and Saudi fans cheer and wave their national flags. Nabil al-Jurani / AP Photo
Saudi Arabia and Iraq players make their way onto the pitch. Haidar Mohammed Ali / AFP
Saudi Arabia and Iraq players vie for the ball. Haidar Mohammed Ali / AFP
Iraq's goalkeeper Mohammed Hameed blocks an attempt on goal. Haidar Mohammed Ali / AFP
Saudi Arabia's Maath Hasan flies past Iraq's Hussam Kadhem Jaber. Haidar Mohammed Ali / AFP
Fans wave the Saudi Arabian flag prior to the start of the match. Haidar Mohammed Ali / AFP
Iraq's Muhanad Ali celebrates scoring a goal. Haidar Mohammed Ali / AFP

Iraq to host first international football tournament in three decades

War-torn country to host West Asia Football Federation championship in November in southern city of Basra