FIFA’s Infantino says Iran ‘for sure’ will come to World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that Iran will “for sure” take part in this summer’s World Cup, despite the ongoing US-Israeli war and deep political tensions. Speaking at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum in Washington, Infantino stated: “Iran has to come, of course. They represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”

Infantino visited Iran squad in Türkiye

Infantino noted that he recently visited the Iranian national team at their training camp in Antalya, southern Türkiye, where the players expressed their desire to compete. “Sports should be outside of politics,” he said. Iran qualified for the tournament, which kicks off June 11 across the US, Canada, and Mexico. The team is scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26. Iran’s request to move its matches to Mexico was denied by FIFA.

Political uncertainty remains

Iran’s sports minister had previously stated that the country could not participate “under any circumstances,” citing the killing of then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the US-Israeli offensive on Feb. 28. US President Donald Trump said in March that while Iran’s team would be welcome, he did not think it was appropriate for them to attend “for their own life and safety.” Infantino said he hoped the situation would be peaceful by the time the tournament begins.