The head of FIFA confirmed on Wednesday that Iran’s national soccer team will definitely take part in the upcoming World Cup, even as the country remains engaged in military conflict with the United States.
During an appearance at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum, FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the importance of Iran’s World Cup participation, despite questions surrounding their involvement following U.S. and Israeli military strikes against the nation.
“The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes,” Infantino stated. “We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. As I said, that would definitely help. But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”
Two weeks prior to his Wednesday comments, Infantino traveled to Antalya, Turkey, where he met with Iran’s national team and came away with positive impressions.
“I went to see them. They are actually quite a good team as well,” Infantino remarked. “And they really want to play and they should play. Sports should be outside of politics now.”
The FIFA president recognized that completely separating athletics from political matters isn’t always achievable.
“OK we don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth,” Infantino explained. “But you know if there is nobody else that believes in building bridges and in keeping them, you know, intact and together, well we are doing that job.”
The World Cup will take place across three host nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Iran’s tournament schedule includes two group matches in Inglewood, California, with an additional game set for Seattle.
The ongoing military conflict has created uncertainty about whether Iran would actually participate in the World Cup. Mixed messages from both Iranian government representatives and soccer officials have added to the confusion. President Donald Trump has advised against the Iranian team’s attendance, expressing concerns about their safety.
