Infantino says he’s talked to Trump and was assured that Iran can come to US for World Cup

FIFA has confirmed that Iran’s national team is expected to participate in the upcoming World Cup in the United States, despite the ongoing war between the two countries. The tournament is set to take place from June 11 to July 19, with Iran scheduled to play against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Inglewood, California, Seattle, and other venues.

There were concerns raised about Iran’s participation due to the current conflict, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that he had met with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the situation. Trump assured Infantino that Iran would be allowed to compete in the tournament, emphasizing that the Iranian team is welcome in the United States.

Infantino, who has a close relationship with Trump, highlighted the importance of events like the World Cup in bringing people together during challenging times. He expressed gratitude to Trump for his support and reiterated that the tournament would proceed as planned.

Despite the geopolitical tensions, FIFA’s World Cup chief operating officer, Heimo Schirgi, emphasized that the tournament is too significant to be postponed. FIFA is closely monitoring the situation and remains hopeful that all qualified teams, including Iran, will be able to participate.

It is crucial for the U.S. to uphold its commitment as the host nation and ensure that all teams are welcomed to compete. Failure to do so could result in consequences similar to what Indonesia faced when it refused to host Israel for the men’s Under-20 World Cup, leading to FIFA removing Indonesia as the host country.

In conclusion, the anticipation of Iran’s national team participating in the World Cup despite the ongoing war reflects the power of sports to transcend political conflicts and unite nations on the global stage. The tournament is a symbol of unity and inclusivity, and all efforts must be made to ensure that it proceeds smoothly.