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FIFA lifts Kuwait’s 2-year ban from international soccer

Oman v Kuwait - 2015 Asian Cup

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 17: Kuwait team mates line up before the 2015 Asian Cup match between Oman and Kuwait at Hunter Stadium on January 17, 2015 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

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ZURICH (AP) FIFA says it has lifted Kuwait’s ban from international soccer.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is in Kuwait to confirm the government is no longer interfering in how the soccer federation is being run.

FIFA says the “Kuwait Parliament has adopted a new sports law” which complies with its statutes.

The ban was imposed in October 2015, leaving Kuwait unable to play its World Cup qualifiers. Because the 2019 Asian Cup qualifying program was linked to the World Cup, Kuwait also dropped out of the continental competition.

Kuwait remains suspended by the International Olympic Committee. Its athletes competed at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics as an independent team.