ANTALYA, Turkey — FIFA president Gianni Infantino told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday that Iran “will be at the World Cup” and will play their group matches in the United States as scheduled, despite the Middle East war.
“Iran will be at the World Cup,” Infantino said at half-time as Iran beat Costa Rica, 5-0, in a friendly in southern Turkey.
“That’s why we’re here. We’re delighted because they’re a very, very strong team, I’m very happy.”
“I’ve seen the team, I’ve spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine,” added Infantino, whose attendance at Tuesday’s game was unannounced.
Infantino went on to stress that Iran’s “matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.”
The World Cup, being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, starts on June 11.
Iran are set to play their first Group G game against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They are then scheduled to play Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Iran’s participation had been thrown into doubt by the war with the US and Israel that broke out on Feb. 28.
“For us, what matters most are FIFA’s rules and regulations. We will comply with whatever FIFA decides. Every host country has made commitments to FIFA and must honor them,” Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, the vice president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), told AFP at the match.
The FFIRI had said earlier this month it was “negotiating” with FIFA to relocate the country’s World Cup matches from the US to Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also said that her country is prepared to host Iran’s first-round matches at the tournament if needed.
