Iraq can start hosting matches for its national team and club teams in Asian continental competitions after a decision announced Wednesday by the Asian Football Confederation. The AFC cleared the city of Irbil to host matches, following the successful friendly between Iraq and Palestine last week.
Before this match, Iraq had not played at home since 2002. The country has made gains in security after years of insurgent attacks and sectarian violence. The Iraq soccer federaration also wanted matches to take place in the capital Baghdad and the city of Sulaimaniya, but the decision by the AFC Executive Committee has restricted play to Irbil.
"We will continue to press for the approval of the remaining two cities,'' IFA president Hussein Saeed told the AFC website. "Soccer plays an important role in the lives of the Iraqi people and they are waiting anxiously to watch their national team play the official international matches at home.''