Iraqi Football Association (
) announced yesterday (26) that the two home matches of the World Qualifying 12 scheduled for next month will have to continue to be scheduled in the Qatari capital, Doha. Earlier, the Iraqi Football Association (
) had proposed that it be held in Basra on Iraqi soil, however this proposal was not approved by FIFA.
Iraqi Football Association (
) spokesman Ahmed al-Musawi revealed yesterday that the Iraqi Football Association (
) had invited a FIFA investigation mission to Iraq last month to conduct a thorough inspection of the world-class stadium in Basra, with a view to FIFA lifting the ban on Iraq and allowing Iraqi teams to return to their homeland. The dispatch of the FIFA mission to Iraq to conduct a thorough investigation was in response to a promise made by the Iraqi sports minister after a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino that the ban on Iraq would be lifted as soon as possible.
It is reported that the FIFA mission conducted a comprehensive survey of Basra, including aspects such as security measures and stadium facilities, and the results of the survey showed that they were satisfied with the situation in Basra. On this basis, the Iraqi Football Association (
) formally applied to FIFA to have the two matches against Syria on Nov. 11 and South Korea on Nov. 16 held in Basra. However, FIFA held a meeting and did not approve the Iraqi Football Association (
) request. As a result, the Iraqi team will have to continue to use Doha as its temporary home.
Moussawi said Iraq's last home game in the 12-team tournament will be against the UAE on March 24 next year, when the team's ability to return to play on Iraqi soil will depend on the decision of FIFA's next meeting. The Iraqi Football Association (
) will continue its efforts to have the ban on Iraq lifted by FIFA as soon as possible.
