Iran will play at the World Cup and there is no plan to suggest otherwise despite the ongoing conflict with tournament co-hosts the United States, FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated to Univision on Monday.
“We want them to play; they are going to play in the World Cup. There are no Plans B or C or D; Plan A is the only plan,” Infantino said. “We live in a complex geopolitical situation…but our work is to unite. We know it is a complicated situation but we will work to be sure that Iran plays in this World Cup in the best conditions.”
Iranian officials have previously said it is up to FIFA and the U.S. to keep the team safe during the World Cup.
Last week, the Iranian ambassador in Mexico City said the country was negotiating with FIFA to move Iran’s three group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico after U.S. President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending the 48-nation tournament, which starts June 11 in the United States, Mexico and Canada, citing safety concerns.
Trump said the Iran team was welcome at the World Cup despite the ongoing war in the Middle East but added, “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
To the plan of moving Iran’s matches to Mexico, Infantino said the sport’s governing body wants the tournament “to go ahead as scheduled.”
He reiterated his stance in an interview with Univision during his recent visit to Mexico.
“Iran represents its people, those living in Iran, and those living abroad. They qualified on sporting merit for this World Cup; it was a national team that qualified very early on. It is a footballing country. We are going to unite countries in a spirit of peace. In the world there are divisions, but our work is to unite, to be a bridge to all.
Last week, Iranian state TV reported that Iran banned its sports teams from traveling to countries it considers “hostile,” ahead of Traktor Sazi FC’s scheduled soccer game in Saudi Arabia.
The ban, announced by Iran’s Ministry of Sports in Tehran, however, didn’t mention the World Cup.
Iranian government and soccer officials have said they do not want to boycott the World Cup, but that it is not possible for the national team to come to the U.S. because of military attacks on the country by Israel and U.S. since Feb. 28.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
