Berlin [Germany], April 1: FIFA president Gianni Infantino is pushing for Iran to participate in the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer despite the conflict against co-hosts US and Israel.
"We want Iran to play, and Iran will play in the World Cup. There is no plan B, C, or D - there is only plan A," he told Mexican broadcaster N+ Univision in an interview.
Iran represent their people - both those living in Iran and those living abroad," Infantino said, urging the country to participate.
Due to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, the Iran national team doesn't want to play their three group stage matches in the US as planned, but in Mexico instead.
It's unclear whether FIFA can or even is willing to accept this request. Infantino stressed that the federation wants to ensure that Iran can participate in the World Cup "under the best possible conditions."
He acknowledged, however, that the situation is "very complicated."
The USand Israel have been attacking Iran since late February, while Iran is carrying out retaliatory strikes.
Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj has recently said the team is boycotting the US, but not the World Cup, without providing further details, according state-run news agency IRNA.
Iran are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. The tournament begins on 11 June.
BBC.com adds: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country was prepared to host Iran's matches if needed but Infantino, who attended Iran's 5-0 friendly win against Costa Rica in Turkey on Tuesday, insisted they would participate in the tournament as planned.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump said in a post on social media that Iran would be "welcome to the World Cup" before signalling he felt they should not be involved "for their own life and safety".
In response, Iran said it was the US which should forefeit their place in the tournament.
Source: Qatar Tribune
