The head of US Soccer has told Sky News that World Cup co-hosts Iran is “very supportive” of America playing in the tournament.
IranTheir participation has been in doubt since the US-Israeli military operation began on Saturday. Assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
And Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, said: “We can’t expect to look forward.” world cup With hope” after the attack, without announcing a boycott.
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Players celebrate after scoring a goal during Iran’s World Cup Asian Qualifier match. File photo: Reuters
US Soccer CEO JT Batson told Sky News: “FIFA president Gianni Infantino shared his intention over the weekend for a safe and secure World Cup in which all teams participate. And we are certainly very supportive of that.”
Already Donald Trump’s travel ban Affects the ability of Iranian fans to travel to the USBut teams are given exemptions to participate.
Iran will play group-stage games in Los Angeles and Seattle at the World Cup, which will also be held in Canada and Mexico.
Asked later about potentially playing in the tournament, Mr Batson said: “We’ve played Iran a number of times in the World Cup and we can play in the World Cup like any other 47-team team, our aim is to win. So we’re looking forward to doing that.”
FIFA is monitoring the situation and is hopeful that all eligible teams will still be part of the tournament.
Mr Infantino told Sky News: “I think it’s going to be a moment of peace, I think we can contribute to uniting the world a little bit. I think the world really needs it.”
The US could also benefit from soccer bringing the country together in a politically charged atmosphere at the men’s World Cup for the first time since 1994.
Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj and Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani with the World Cup trophy. File photo: Reuters
“Our team wants to win and they are focused on that,” Mr Batson said. “And they want to have a lot of Americans who support them and get behind them and rally behind them.
“Our players, of course, are human beings. And we all have our beliefs and we all have our things that we care about. But deep down, they want to win. That’s why they’re here. And they want to represent US Soccer with pride. They want to inspire the next generation.”
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Former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, overseeing the US team, has been linked with a steady return to the Premier League – especially Spurs for next season.
Asked about any of Argentina’s approaches, Mr Batson said he was “absolutely focused” on the task of trying to win a first men’s World Cup for the Americans.
“When we appointed Mauricio we knew he was a coach in demand and for good reason,” he said.
“So he was in demand when we hired him and he’s in demand now and he’ll be in demand for years to come and having worked with him now, I completely understand why.”
