Iraq hosts first home game in four years following FIFA ban

World Today

Supporters of the Iraqi national team wave their national flag during the international friendly football match between Iraq and Jordan at Basra Sports City in Basra on June 1, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / HAIDAR MOHAMMED ALI

Iraq hosted a football match on its home soil for the first time in four years, following a ban by world football organization FIFA.

FIFA banned any matches being held in Iraq in 2013 after a coach was killed in clashes with security forces during a match. Deteriorating security conditions in the country also contributed to the FIFA decision.

As conditions have improved in the country, FIFA allowed Iraq to host games again for a three-month probationary period. The Iraqi game against Jordan, hosted in Iraq’s southern city of Basra, was the first of those matches.