Gianni Infantino has affirmed that the World Cup will proceed as scheduled, unaffected by the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. With the tournament just 84 days away, the situation in the Middle East remains turbulent.
Iran, a qualified team for the World Cup, is set to play against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and Egypt in Seattle. Despite calls for relocation to Mexico following concerns raised by US President Donald Trump about safety, FIFA President Infantino has consistently rejected any changes due to geopolitical tensions in the region.
During a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich, Infantino emphasized FIFA’s dedication to leveraging football’s power to foster peace amidst global conflicts. He stressed that the World Cup will proceed according to schedule, with all teams expected to participate in the spirit of fair play and mutual respect.
Iran’s initial reluctance to participate in the World Cup shifted after the conflict escalated in early March. The Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, initially announced Iran’s withdrawal from the competition following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an airstrike.
However, a change in stance emerged, with Iran’s football president, Mehdi Taj, stating that while they would boycott America, they would not boycott the World Cup. Discussions ensued about relocating Iran’s matches to Mexico, as concerns over security in the US persisted.
Despite Mexico’s willingness to accommodate, FIFA appears to have dismissed the idea of relocating the games. Infantino, aligning with Trump, who received the FIFA peace prize, reiterated Iran’s welcome participation in the tournament, indicating that the matches will likely take place on American soil.