New Delhi: FIFA President Gianni Infantino affirmed that Iran will participate in the World Cup and will play in the United States despite the military conflict between the two nations. Infantino made the admission during his opening address at FIFA Congress.
“And the reason for that is very simple, dear friends, is because we have to unite. We have to bring people together. It is my responsibility. It is our responsibility,” Infantino said.
“Football unites the world. FIFA unites the world. You unite the world. We unite the world.”
Earlier this week, representatives of the Iranian football federation were denied entry to Canada, an indication of how uncertain the situation is regarding Iran’s participation in the World Cup.
Infantino’s clear stance amidst uncertainty over Iran’s participation
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated that it was her “understanding” that the Iranian officials were denied entry, following a report by Tasnim, an Iranian news agency associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The report said Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj and two other officials were turned away from Toronto’s airport.
At this week’s Asian Football Federation congress in Vancouver, the issue related to Iran’s participation in the World Cup or whether their games would be shifted from the United States was not addressed.
At the roll call for the FIFA Congress, where names of all participants were announced, the Iran national team was named as absent. Outside the event at the Vancouver Convention Centre, a protest erupted, holding Iranian flags.
Infantino hasn’t budged from his stance on Iran’s participation in the World Cup in the United States. Iran had earlier asked to shift their games to Mexico, but that request was rejected.
The marquee football tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 76th edition of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver was attended by as many as 1,600 of the top football officials from around the world.