VANCOUVER, British Columbia — On Tuesday, representatives from Iran’s soccer federation were absent from the most significant meeting of Asia’s soccer leaders ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
During the Asian Football Confederation Congress, attended by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, there was no dialogue regarding Iran’s involvement in the tournament or the potential relocation of the team’s matches away from the United States, amid ongoing tensions between the two nations.
– Italy deems it ‘shameful’ to consider swapping Iran out of the World Cup
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– Approval of red cards for mouth-covering prior to the World Cup
Concerns have been raised that visa complications might hinder the Iranian delegation’s attendance at Tuesday’s confederation meeting in Vancouver and the forthcoming FIFA Congress on Thursday, along with their participation in the World Cup that kicks off on June 11. The tournament will see a total of 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
It remains uncertain whether visa challenges were the reason for the absence of Iranian representatives at the AFC Congress. During the event, as the nine teams from the Asian Football Confederation that qualified for the World Cup were given commemorative gifts, it was mentioned that Iran’s token would be presented “once they arrive.”
Last week, an Iranian government spokesperson stated that the national team is readying for a “proud and successful participation” in the World Cup matches in the United States.
FIFA, the global governing body for soccer, has consistently affirmed that Iran will adhere to the World Cup schedule established in December, prior to military actions initiated by the U.S. and Israel on February 28. The organization has dismissed the idea of relocating the team’s games to Mexico.
“At this moment, with the world facing very delicate and dangerous situations involving multiple conflicts, it’s more important than ever to find ways to construct bridges—or perhaps football fields—to foster unity,” Infantino remarked to the AFC leaders.
Iran is placed in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt. Their training camp is set to be located in Tucson, Arizona, with the team’s World Cup opener against New Zealand scheduled for June 15 in Inglewood, California, near Los Angeles.
The team will then face Belgium in Inglewood on June 21, followed by their final group match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.