FIFA chief Infantino promises backing for Iran to play at World Cup co-hosted by US

FIFA President Gianni Infantino throws his support behind Iran’s World Cup preparations, attending its 5-0 friendly win over Costa Rica in Turkey even as the country’s tournament participation is in limbo due to the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Infantino’s surprise appearance comes as Iran continues pushing to relocate the team’s World Cup matches from the US to Mexico, citing the war.

Iran’s federation said earlier this month they were in discussions with FIFA about the venue switch, while Iran’s Sports Ministry has banned national and club sports teams from traveling to countries it considers hostile until further notice.

FIFA, however, has maintained it is looking forward to all participating teams “competing as per the match schedule” announced in December.

“I am very pleased that the Iran national team is currently holding its training camp… We have only one plan for this team. Iran has qualified for the World Cup and will play in the tournament,” Infantino is quoted as saying by Iranian media at the match in Antalya.

“Personally, I will do whatever I can to make sure everything is in order,” he says.

Iran, which dominated the Asian qualifying rounds to book its place at the tournament in March last year, is scheduled to play all three Group G matches on American soil — two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle — against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.

Speaking directly to the Iranian team, Infantino pledges his support but steers clear of the wider issues surrounding the dispute, saying they are “not pursuing politics.”

U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier this month that while Iran’s national team is welcome to play in the US, it might not be appropriate for the team’s “life and safety.”

“From now until the World Cup, I will do whatever I can to support the Iran national team,” Infantino says.