Situation “very complicated”
©IMAGO
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is pushing for Iran to take part in the World Cup this summer despite the war in the Middle East. “We want Iran to play, Iran will play at the World Cup. There is no plan B, C or D – there is plan A,” said the head of the world association in an interview with the Mexican television channel “N+ Univision”.
In view of the war, Iran does not want to play its three preliminary round games in the USA – as previously planned – but in Mexico. It is still unclear whether FIFA can and even wants to comply with this request. The United States and Israel have been at active war with Iran since late February.
“Iran represents its people – the people who live in Iran as well as those who live abroad,” said Infantino, urging the country to participate. FIFA wants to ensure that Iran can take part in the World Cup “under the best possible conditions”. At the same time, the 56-year-old Swiss admitted that he lives in the “real world” and that the situation is “very complicated”.
According to the state news agency “Irna”, Iran’s association head Mehdi Taj announced a boycott of the USA, but not the World Cup, a week and a half ago, without elaborating. The finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico start on June 11th and last until July 19th. Iran is scheduled to face Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in the group stage.
