Trump Says Iran is "Welcome to Compete" at FIFA World Cup Despite Ongoing War
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Donald Trump has told him that Iran's national team is welcome to compete at this summer's World Cup, easing uncertainty over the country's participation after the outbreak of war between the US, Israel and Iran.
Infantino shared the news on Instagram following a meeting with Trump on Tuesday to discuss preparations for the tournament, which kicks off on 11th June and is co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. "During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States," Infantino wrote. "We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World."
The assurance is a notable shift in tone from Trump, who told Politico just last week that "I really don't care" whether Iran takes part. Iran's football federation president Mehdi Taj had also cast doubt on their involvement, saying: "What is certain is that after these attacks, it's hard to look at the World Cup with hope."
Iran are scheduled to play New Zealand and Belgium in Inglewood, California, on 15th and 21st June, and Egypt in Seattle on 26th June. Should both the US and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the two countries, which are currently at war, would play each other on 3rd July in Dallas.
The stakes for the host nation are significant. When Indonesia refused to allow Israel to compete in the men's Under-20 World Cup three years ago, FIFA stripped the country of hosting rights weeks before the first game and moved the tournament to Argentina. A similar outcome for the US would be a considerable embarrassment.
FIFA's World Cup chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi was unequivocal earlier this week: "The World Cup will go on obviously, right? The World Cup is too big, and we hope that everyone can participate that has qualified." Trump's existing travel ban affects Iranian fans' ability to enter the US, though national teams are expected to receive exemptions to be able to compete.
Infantino, who has cultivated a close relationship with Trump, with the president receiving FIFA's inaugural peace prize in December, said he and Trump also discussed "the current situation in Iran" during their meeting.
Meanwhile, six members of Iran's women's national team were granted humanitarian visas to remain in Australia after they declined to sing Iran's national anthem before a match at the AFC Asian Cup. Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that seven visas were issued in total, though one player subsequently decided to return home. The rest of the squad left Australia on Tuesday following the team's elimination from the tournament.
