Iran edge closer to USA after positive FIFA talks as team leaves for Turkish training camp
May 18 – FIFA has held positive talks with Iranian football officials on the team’s participation in this summer’s World Cup.
Iran was one of the first of the 48 finalists that qualified for the super-sized finals, but its participation has been in doubt ever since the US, World Cup co-hosts, and Israel launched a war against the Persian country. However, this weekend, FIFA’s secretary general, Mattias Grafstrom, offered new assurance that Team Melli will feature at the finals.
“We’ve had an excellent meeting and constructive meeting together with the Iran football association. We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup,” Grafstrom told Reuters.
Grafstrom met with Iranian FA president Mehdi Taj in Turkey. Iran are scheduled to play Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in the group stages, but questions have risen after Taj was refused entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver earlier this month. At the time, Canadian authorities issued a statement highlighting that they do not comment on individual cases but that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is listed as a terrorist organisation.
Iran have since demanded a series of guarantees around their participation at the World Cup. Taj said: “I am pleased that they listened to Iran’s points, all 10 points that we had raised, and they offered solutions for each of them. I hope, God willing, that our national team can go to the World Cup without any problems and achieve very good results there,” he said.
Grafstrom however declined to offer more details or assurances on entry and visa arrangements.
“We’ve discussed all relevant matters, but I think it’s not the place to discuss the details. Overall, a very positive meeting and we’re looking forward to continuing the dialogue,” he said.
Iran held a send-off party for the national football team at the end of last week, as they departed to Turkey for a training camp that will see them play two friendly matches, one against The Gambia in Antalya on May 29 and a second opponent yet to be confirmed.
US visas had still not been granted when they left.
When, and if, they get to the USA, they will be based in Tuscon, Arizona, for their group games. Their group matches are in California and Washington state, with two games at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles, and one at Lumen Field in Seattle.
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