The world football federation, FIFA, has given Iraq a 72-hour ultimatum to reinstate its national football association or risk suspension from international football.

FIFA's governing body said it had learned of the dissolution of the governing board of the Iraqi Football Association (IFA). It warned that if the decision to dissolve the IFA were not cancelled within three days, and if the IFA headquarters were not returned to the IFA within that time, FIFA would have no choice but to refer the issue to the FIFA Emergency Committee to decide on a possible Iraqi suspension. FIFA has expressed growing concern in recent weeks about political interference in the sport in Iraq.

Football is extremely popular in Iraq and its importance was boosted by the country's victory in the 2007 Asian Nations Cup. The win prompted wrangles and government involvement over who controlled the sport's affairs.