FIFA are set to hold talks with an Iranian delegation to discuss plans for the upcoming World Cup.
Iran have already qualified for the tournament, although their participation remains unclear due to the ongoing conflict between the country and US-Israeli forces in the Middle East.
Since the conflict broke out in February, there have been several back-and-forth exchanges between FIFA, Iranian and US government officials.
Iran, who will play all three of their matches – against New Zealand, Egypt and Belgium – in the US, have already had a request to move their fixtures to co-hosts Mexico turned down by FIFA.
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Despite this, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has insisted that Iran will take part in the tournament.
Speaking at a FIFA Congress meeting earlier this week, Infantino said: “Of course, Iran will play in the United States of America. The reason for that is simple, because we have to unite. We have to bring people together.”
This prompted US President Donald Trump to say: “Well, if Gianni said it, I’m OK.”
“Did Gianni say it? Gianni Infantino – that’s a piece of work.”
When pressed on what would happen if Iran went on to win the tournament, he added: “If they win, we’ll have to worry about that. I’m going to have to worry about that one.
“You know what, let them play. Gianni is fantastic, he’s a friend of mine. He talked about it, I said, ‘you do whatever you want.’ You can have them, you don’t have to have them. They probably have a good team. Do they have a good team? Do you have any idea?”
FIFA set Iran World Cup meeting deadline
Despite both Infantino and Trump now welcoming Iran, officials from the country missed the FIFA Congress involving 211 FIFA member nations.
Iranian media reported that Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, was turned away at the border due to his links with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is designated as a terrorist organisation in Canada.
However, a report from the Mirror claims that Iran will send a delegation to FIFA headquarters in Switzerland in May to hold talks over whether they will compete at the World Cup.
FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafström has set a deadline of May 20 for Iran to travel to Europe for the talks.
“Our position is that we will soon have a meeting with FIFA,” Taj told Iranian media on Friday.
The tournament gets underway on June 11, with Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match.
Topics: FIFA, Football, Gianni Infantino
Luke Davies