Iran makes participation in World Cup conditional on FIFA decision

Iran has said it will decide on its participation in the upcoming World Cup only after receiving a response from FIFA to its request to reschedule matches, Sports Minister Ahmad Donjamali said.

The Iranian Football Federation has asked for three group-stage matches scheduled in the United States to be moved to Mexico, citing the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel. The federation said last month it was in discussions with FIFA over the proposal.

However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated that Iran’s matches will proceed as originally planned. Donjamali said the request remains under consideration but that no formal response has yet been received.

Iran is due to play its Group G matches in the United States, facing New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle.

The Iranian government has also imposed restrictions on national and club teams travelling to countries it considers hostile.

Donjamali said security guarantees would be decisive. Without them, Iran’s participation in matches held in the United States is unlikely, with the final decision resting with the government.

(reuters, bak)