Iran says men’s soccer team is preparing for ‘proud participation’ at World Cup in US

Iranian National Team Confirms Participation in World Cup Games in the U.S.

The Iranian national team is gearing up for what they hope will be a successful and proud participation in the upcoming World Cup games in the United States. This announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty surrounding Iran’s ability to attend the tournament, following military attacks launched by the U.S. and Israel on February 28.

In a statement made by Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohejerani on Wednesday, it was revealed that the Ministry of Youth and Sports has confirmed the team’s full preparedness for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. This decision was made by order of the minister, signaling Iran’s commitment to competing in the tournament.

Despite concerns and speculations, FIFA has maintained that Iran will adhere to the World Cup schedule established in December. The organization has rejected any suggestions of relocating the team’s games to Mexico, reaffirming their support for Iran’s participation in the tournament.

Recent progress was made when FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Iranian soccer leaders and players in Turkey on March 31. During this visit, the team engaged in two warm-up games, demonstrating their readiness and determination to compete on the world stage.

Although the Iranian soccer league has been suspended due to the ongoing conflict, the team has been actively training in Tehran, as evidenced by photos shared on their official Instagram account. Mohejerani emphasized that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the team’s success in the tournament.

Infantino has also promised to assist the Iranian team in finding a suitable training camp outside of the country to prepare for the World Cup. This could potentially take place in Turkey, where the team previously played warm-up matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica.

As Iran prepares for their group-stage games in the U.S., including matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, the team is expected to arrive at their training camp in Tucson, Arizona by June 10. This timeline aligns with FIFA’s regulations, which require teams to be present at least five days before their first game.

One key issue that remains unresolved is securing entry visas for the Iranian delegation, including soccer federation president Mehdi Taj. Taj was previously barred from attending the World Cup draw in December, where Infantino presented a specially created FIFA Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump.

The World Cup tournament, co-hosted by Mexico and Canada, is set to run from June 11 to July 19, with 48 nations competing for the prestigious title. As Iran prepares to showcase their talent and passion for the sport on a global platform, fans eagerly anticipate their performance in the upcoming games.

For more updates on the World Cup and Iran’s journey in the tournament, stay tuned to AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup.