Despite the ongoing war with the USA, Iran is to take part in the World Cup. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasizes the sporting qualification and the importance of participation. However, a stable security situation remains a prerequisite.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will “definitely” take part in the World Cup despite the war with the USA. “The Iranian team will definitely come,” said Infantino at the “Invest in America Forum” on CNBC. He emphasized the importance of the country’s participation in the World Cup.
“They represent their people. They are qualified. The players want to play,” said Infantino, who met the Iranian national team two weeks ago in Antalya. The Iranian team had also recently expressed confidence. “There is currently no reason not to take part and, God willing, we will do so,” said team manager Amir Ghalenoei.
Sports Minister Ahmed Donjamali had recently expressed optimism as long as the ceasefire agreed between the warring parties holds. “The more normal the situation, the more likely we are to take part,” he said.
All group games in the USA
Iran is scheduled for the World Cup matches in June in Group G with two games in Los Angeles (against New Zealand and Belgium) and one match in Seattle (Egypt), with the team headquarters to be in Tucson in the state of Arizona. Following the start of the conflict between the USA, Israel and Iran at the end of February, Tehran even called for a boycott at times and demanded that the matches not be held in the United States. FIFA rejected this.
“We hope, of course, that the situation will have calmed down by then,” said Infantino in Washington. The USA and Iran held direct talks in Islamabad at the weekend for the first time since the start of the war a month and a half ago, which ended without any tangible results.
Safety of players and coaching staff must be guaranteed
The decision on Iran’s participation in the World Cup should be made by the country’s National Security Council in consultation with the government, according to the latest statement. This council is the highest decision-making body and is under the supervision of Supreme Leader Modshtaba Khamenei and the leadership of President Massud Peseshkian.
Sports Minister Donjamali had also set the condition that the safety of players and coaching staff be guaranteed by the USA. In a post on his “Truth Social” network, US President Donald Trump posted in March that although the Iranian team was ‘welcome’ at the World Cup, he “really doesn’t think it’s appropriate for them to be there, for their own protection and their own safety”.