FIFA to Meet Iranian FA Over World Cup Participation Concerns
Iran will hold a training camp in Turkey before moving to its US base in Arizona ahead of the June 15 opener vs New Zealand.
Both the US and Canada, co-hosts with Mexico, bar entry to individuals linked to the IRGC...
FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom is due to meet Iranian FA officials in Istanbul on Saturday. Reports state the meeting will aim to reassure Iran over its place at the World Cup.
Iran is set to play all three group matches in the US at the June 11 to July 19 tournament. But doubts over their participation grew after US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
Further concerns followed when FFIRI President Mehdi Taj was denied entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver earlier this month. Canadian authorities cited his ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Both the US and Canada, co-hosts with Mexico, designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization. They have said they won’t admit individuals linked to the force.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, said this week that FIFA must make sure every team and delegation can enter the host countries.
The source added that FIFA is in close contact with authorities to make sure every team can play safely and securely at the World Cup.
US President Donald Trump said two weeks ago that he had no issue with Iran taking part, even after recent strikes between the countries.
Iran had requested that its matches be moved to Mexico. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said all games will stay at the venues originally set.
Iran’s squad will leave Tehran for a training camp in Turkey on Monday. They plan to head to their US base at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, in early June.
Iran opens its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
“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...
“If the organising body cannot guarantee that all qualified teams, including Iran, can enter the host country without discrimination or restriction and compete on equal terms, the credibility of the World Cup itself will be damaged.”
The source added that FIFA is in close contact with authorities to make sure every team can play safely and securely at the World Cup.
US President Donald Trump said two weeks ago that he had no issue with Iran taking part, even after recent strikes between the countries.
Iran had requested that its matches be moved to Mexico. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said all games will stay at the venues originally set.
Iran’s squad will leave Tehran for a training camp in Turkey on Monday. They plan to head to their US base at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, in early June.
Iran opens its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
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