Iran cannot compete in this year’s World Cup “under any circumstances,” the country’s sports minister said.
After that, the participation of the team was doubtful US and Israeli forces hit IranTehran retaliates with attacks on American assets and allies across the Middle East.
Following the latest in the Iran War
FIFA Boss Gianni Infantino said he met the US president Donald Trump Tuesday night to “discuss the state of preparations” for the tournament, and received assurances Iran Welcome to compete world cupCo-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
However, Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that “this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader” – Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – “Under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup”.
According to state news channel WANA, the head of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, also said: “What rational person would send the national team into such a situation?”
Iran’s men’s national team will play in the US against New Zealand in June before facing Belgium and Egypt.
Last week, Mr. Trump accepted FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize last year“I don’t really care” if Iran takes part in the tournament, he said.
In a post on Instagram on Wednesday, Mr Infantino said that during last night’s debate, “President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.”
“Now more than ever we need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support as it shows once again that football can unite the world,” Mr Infantino added.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino. File photo: Reuters
Six members of Iran’s women’s football team – five players and one staff member – were granted humanitarian visas to remain in Australia after they failed to sing Iran’s national anthem before a match over fears they could be at risk. They were inside Australia For the Asian Cup.
There is one player in the team Then decided to return to Iran.
Mr. Trump’s travel ban means Iranian fans will not be able to travel to the US This summer, however, teams are granted exemptions to participate.
Read more from Sky News:
The march was banned to ‘prevent serious public disorder’
A British couple have drowned at a popular Australian beach
FIFA’s World Cup chief executive said earlier this week that the global turmoil caused by the Iran war was “too big” to postpone the tournament.
Heimo Schirgi said: “The World Cup will obviously continue, right? The World Cup is very big, and we hope that everyone who qualifies can participate.”
