FIFA officials to offer ‘reassurance’ to Iran over World Cup participation amid US tensions

FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom has officially announced plans to meet Iranian FA officials in Istanbul this Saturday, aiming to build confidence over Iran’s participation in the World Cup. 

The Iranian team is scheduled to play their group–stage matches in the United States and Canada.

Meanwhile, concerns have been mounting over the team’s participation in the June 11 to July 19 tournament due to rising geopolitical tensions that started following the US and Israel attacking Iran in late February.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, said in a social media post that it is FIFA’s responsibility to ensure that all teams and their delegations are admitted to the receiving countries.

The Iranian national football team has earned its ​right to participate on the field in accordance with FIFA regulations,” he wrote.

"Any obstruction to the entry of players, technical staff, ‌federation ⁠officials, or essential members of the Iranian delegation would violate the spirit and purpose of the World Cup…”

FIFA is aggressively working with relevant authorities to ensure all teams at the World Cup are able to compete in a protected environment.

US President Donald Trump confirmed two weeks ago that he was "okay" with Iran playing at the World Cup despite the intensity of the dispute between the countries.

Iran has proposed the idea that their World Cup matches be switched to Mexico, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino has emphasized that all games be played at their originally scheduled times and venues.

It is pertinent to note that the Iranian national team will leave Tehran for a training camp in Turkey before moving on to their US base on Monday. Iran will open its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.