FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed Iran will participate in the World Cup, despite ongoing conflict with tournament co-hosts the United States.
The confirmation comes amid recent hostilities, including US and Israeli air strikes on Iran on 28 February, and subsequent Iranian retaliation against Israel and Middle Eastern nations hosting American military bases.
These tensions had raised questions over Iran’s participation, especially as their group games are scheduled in the US.
Mr Infantino, however, remains positive. "We want Iran to play, and Iran will play at the World Cup," he is reported to have told Univision.
He dismissed a request from the Iranian football federation to move matches to Mexico, stating: "There is no plan B, C or D – there is only plan A."
He added: "Iran represent their people – both those living in Iran and those living abroad."
Infantino previously said US president Donald Trump would welcome Iran at the World Cup, but Trump said earlier this month he did not think it would be “appropriate” for Iran to take part “for their own life and safety”.
Iran are scheduled to play two World Cup games in Los Angeles and another in Seattle. They will face New Zealand and Belgium in LA on 15 June and 21 June, followed by the match against Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
Iran and the US could meet in the last 32 in Dallas on July 3 if both sides finish runners-up in their groups.
Infantino was in Turkey on Tuesday to attend Iran’s friendly match against Costa Rica.
Iran players and officials posed with pictures of children allegedly killed by US and Israeli airstrikes before their World Cup warmup against Costa Rica on Tuesday.
There were no spectators at the stadium in Antalya but FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present.
The Iran players were joined by coach Amir Ghalenoei, Iran Football Federation vice president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi and staff members, holding the photographs while singing the national anthem.
Iran won the match 5-0. The players' gesture came after they held small backpacks on Friday before another warmup against Nigeria, to honor the victims of a deadly missile strike on an elementary school in southern Iran.
More than 165 people were killed, most of them children, in the Feb. 28 strike likely launched by the US.
US ‘facing human rights emergency’ ahead of World Cup says Amnesty International
Irish rugby player with no football experience commits to South Carolina
Tiger Woods released on bail after arrest for Florida car crash
The huge De Zerbi risk Tottenham are taking that could spell disaster
England vs Japan LIVE: Latest team news and updates from pre-World Cup friendly
Scotland v Ivory Coast LIVE: Latest score and updates from pre-World Cup friendly
