Infantino: Iran will attend the World Cup

Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), said that the Iranian national team will “certainly” participate in the World Cup, hosted by America, Canada and Mexico, in the summer, despite the war with America and Israel.

Infantino told the American network CNBC on the sidelines of the “Invest in America” forum that participating in this major event is important for the Islamic Republic, adding: “Iran will certainly participate,” and added: “Of course Iran must attend... They represent their people, they have qualified. The players want to play.”

The spokesman continued: "They should play. Sports should be outside politics. Well, we don't live on the moon, we live on planet Earth, but if there is no one else who believes in building bridges and keeping them intact and together, we do it."

US President Donald Trump said that he considered Iran's participation in the tournament "inappropriate for their lives and safety."

Iran submitted a request to move its group stage matches from America to Mexico, but the International Federation rejected the request, according to Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico.

The Iranian national team is scheduled to meet New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, then the Egyptian national team in Seattle, in the group stage of the tournament, which will be held from June 11 to July 19.

Infantino visited the Iranian team during a recent friendly match against Costa Rica, and expressed his optimism, and after initial speculation that the team might not play there, there are now more positive signs from Tehran.

Amir Qala Nooyi, the coach of the Iranian national team, said, “There is no reason at this time not to participate.”

The Iranian Minister of Sports, Ahmed Donyamali, expressed his enthusiasm for participating, as long as the ceasefire agreement is in place and there is a guarantee for the safety of the team. He said: “The more normal the situation is, the more likely it is to participate.” Infantino agreed with him, and said: “We hope, of course, that by then the situation will be peaceful, and this would certainly help.”

It is said that the final decision on Iran's participation will be taken by the country's Supreme National Security Council, headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian, and under the supervision of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.