FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed on Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump pledged, during a meeting on Tuesday evening, to welcome the Iranian national team to the World Cup scheduled for this coming summer.
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Infantino wrote on his Instagram account: "During our talks, President Trump reaffirmed that the Iranian team is certainly welcome to participate in the tournament in the United States," which is co-hosting the event with neighbors Canada and Mexico. He added, "During a meeting to discuss preparations for the tournament, we also spoke about the current situation in Iran."
Trump’s remarks to Infantino stand in stark contrast to his statement to Politico last week, when he said, "I don't really care" regarding Iran's participation in the World Cup.
Iran's participation in the global finals has become uncertain following the U.S.-Israeli-Iranian war. Should Iran withdraw, it would mark the first such occurrence since France and India withdrew from the 1950 finals in Brazil. This is the first time Infantino has addressed the "situation in Iran" discussed with Trump.
Since February 28, the United States and Israel have launched a series of strikes on Iran, leaving the attendance of "Team Melli" at the global finals undecided. Just hours after the war began, Mehdi Taj, President of the Iranian Football Federation, hinted at a potential boycott, stating that the final decision rests with the country's "sports authorities."
Taj told Iranian television, "These events will not pass without a response... but what is certain right now is that with this attack and this brutality, the World Cup cannot be viewed with hope."
On Tuesday, Taj cast further doubt on the team's participation, stating that members of the Iranian women’s national team competing in the Asian Cup in Australia were pressured to defect, with some requesting and receiving asylum. Taj blamed President Trump, saying, "The U.S. President himself posted two tweets about the women's team, saying 'We welcome them and they should become refugees'." He continued, "He also threatened Australia, saying 'If you don't grant them asylum, I will grant them asylum in the United States'."
Taj concluded on state TV: "If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to such a place?"
Some observers have also pointed to the possibility that the United States might refuse to host the Iranian team for security reasons, as their three group-stage matches are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Infantino stated, "Now more than ever, we all need an event like the World Cup to bring people together. I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as this demonstrates once again that football unites the world."
Source: AFP
