FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom said he held a constructive and positive meeting with Iran's football chief Mehdi Taj, expressing confidence about the country's participation in the World Cup.
“We've had an excellent and constructive meeting together with the Iran football association,” Grafstrom told Reuters on Saturday. “We're working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup.”
Iran are scheduled to play all three group matches in the United States, but the team's participation in the June 11 to July 19 tournament has been in question since the US and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28, sparking a regional conflict.
More questions arose after Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran President Taj was refused entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver this month. An FFIRI delegation led by Taj turned back upon arrival at Toronto's main airport, citing “unacceptable behavior of immigration officials” despite holding valid visas.
In 2024, Canada listed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a “terrorist organization”, and statements from the Canadian government indicated that Taj was denied entry due to his alleged ties with the IRGC.
Grafstrom declined to provide details on the visa situation for Iran's players but said the two sides discussed operational matters in Istanbul, Turkey, and had a positive exchange.
Taj said the FFIRI had a good meeting with Grafstrom and other FIFA officials. “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.
Iran had asked for their World Cup matches to be switched to Mexico, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino insisted all games must be played at the originally scheduled venues.
Iran's squad will leave Tehran for a training camp in Turkey on Monday before moving on to their US base in Tucson, Arizona, in early June. Iran are scheduled to begin their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
Source: www.aljazeera.com