Iran will compete in the World Cup, with games taking place in the United States as planned, according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The US-Israeli war with Iran has caused ongoing uncertainty over their participation in the competition.
And earlier this month, the Iranian football organization announced that it was “negotiating” with FIFA to move the country’s World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico.
“Iran will be at the World Cup,” Infantino told AFP. “We’re delighted because they’re a very, very strong team; I’m very happy.
“The matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.”
Iran will play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26 in the tournament hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that her country is willing to host Iran’s matches if necessary, but Infantino, who attended Iran’s 5-0 friendly win against Costa Rica in Turkey on Tuesday, insisted on their participation in the tournament as planned.
“I’ve seen the team, I’ve spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine,” he insisted.
Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, the vice president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), added, “For us, what matters most are FIFA’s rules and regulations. We will comply with whatever FIFA decides.
“Every host country has made commitments to FIFA and must honor them.”
He stated that Infantino had come to the game in Turkey while en route from Mexico to Qatar.
“Having learned that we were organizing friendly matches here, he came to see us in person, and we had a fruitful discussion,” he explained.
“Given our history in this competition, it is only natural that FIFA should support the Iranian team. Mr. Infantino is providing the necessary support to our national team and has given our players a great boost.”
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump claimed in a social media post that Iran would be “welcome to the World Cup” before indicating that he believed they should not participate “for their own life and safety.”
In reaction, Iran stated that the United States should forfeit their position in the tournament.
Ahmad Donyamali, Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth, also stated that his country will not participate in the competition.
