Iran still to play in World Cup, says Asian soccer body

The Iranian men’s soccer team is still planning to play in the upcoming World Cup in North America, Asian soccer officials say, despite a warning that they may be at risk because the tournament is being co-hosted by the US, which is at war with Iran.

US President Donald Trump warned the team on Thursday that their “life and safety” could be at risk, should they attend this summer’s soccer extravaganza, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The war, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has thrown into doubt Iran’s participation.

“As far as we know, Iran is playing,” says Windsor Paul John, the Asian Football Confederation’s general secretary.

“We are monitoring whether they are playing or not, but at the moment they are. There is no official information that they are not playing,” he tells a press conference at the AFC’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Windsor stresses that the AFC wants Iran, a “top team,” to play in the global tournament.

“So we hope that they will solve their issues… and be able to participate in the World Cup,” he says.

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social Platform said the Iranian team was welcome, “but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

Meanwhile the captain of the Iranian women’s soccer team, which played in the Asian Cup in Australia, withdrew her bid for asylum on Sunday.

Seven members of Iran’s visiting soccer delegation competing in the Women’s Asian Cup had sought sanctuary in Australia after they were branded “traitors” at home for refusing to sing the national anthem.

Following the captain’s reported move to go back on her asylum request, only two of them are now set to remain in Australia.