An Asian football official has provided an update on Iran's status for the World Cup despite claims from Donald Trump and other figures.
Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed how he had met with US President Trump and he reiterated that Iran's team would be "welcome to compete" in the tournament, which is being jointly hold in the US, Canada and Mexico.
However, with the conflict in Iran and the Middle East after Israel and the US launched military action, Iran's sport minister Ahmad Donyamali said that "under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup" and that "we certainly cannot have such a presence".
Last Thursday, Trump said the player's "life and safety” could be at risk if they appear in the tournament, where they have been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt.
Advert
But despite strong doubts about Iran competing given the ongoing war, it appears as though Amir Ghalenoei's side are still planning on showing up in a seventh World Cup.
According to Windsor Paul John, the Asian Football Confederation’s general secretary, no decision on boycotting has been made.
"We are monitoring whether they are playing or not, but at the moment they are," he told a press conference at the AFC's headquarters.
"There is no official information that they are not playing."
The 65-year-old said that the AFC want Iran to represent them in the World Cup and called them a "top team". He added that he hoped Iran "will solve their issues and be able to participate".
Insider makes FIFA World Cup claim
Iran qualified for the World Cup March by topping Group A in Asian qualifying but in the case of a withdrawal, FIFA's rulebook states that the team in question is replaced "with a nominated alternate, often the direct runner-up from the relevant qualifying playoff or highest-ranked non-qualified team from that confederation".
United Arab Emirates were the highest non-qualifier but lost in a play-off to Iraq, who will take on the winner of the Bolivia or Suriname in an inter-continental in Monterrey, Mexico on 31 March.
Iraq's assistant manager is former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen and he believes there are suggestions that FIFA could select the highest-ranked team - which would be four-time winners Italy.
"Through the AFC, we are the highest ranked team," he told talkSPORT.
"So we would then take Iran's place. And then UAE might step in to replace us to play the winner of Suriname and Bolivia."
Meulensteen continued: "But there's also rumours that if FIFA makes the final decision, they might push the highest-ranked FIFA team to replace Iran, which is Italy.
"You can think, who would they rather have at the World Cup?"
Italy's last World Cup appearance was in 2018 after two dismal qualifying campaigns. This time around they made the UEFA play-offs and will take on Northern Ireland.
Victory in that game will see them square off against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for a spot in the showpiece.
Topics: Donald Trump, FIFA World Cup
Josh Lawless