Iran will play World Cup games in US - Infantino
Iran will take part in the World Cup and their games will be played in the United States as scheduled, says Fifa president Gianni Infantino. There has been ungoing uncertainty over their participation in the tournament because of the US-Israel war with Iran. And the Iranian football federation said earlier this month it was "negotiating" with Fifa to relocate the country's World Cup matches from the US 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 are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. The tournament, which begins on 11 June, is being hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country was prepared to host Iran's matches if needed but Infantino, who attended Iran's 5-0 friendly win against Costa Rica in Turkey on Tuesday, insisted they would participate 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. Mahdi Mohammadnabi, 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 honour them. " Mohammadnabi said Infantino had come to the game in Turkey while en route from Mexico to Qatar. "Having learnt that we were organising friendly matches here, he came to see us in person, and we had a fruitful discussion," he said.