FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom had a “constructive and positive” meeting with the president of FFIRI (Iranian Football Federation), Mehdi Taj, this Saturday (16), Grafstrom told Reuters, expressing confidence about the country’s participation in the World Cup.
Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group stage matches in the United States, but the team’s participation in the tournament, from June 11 to July 19, has been in doubt since the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February.
“We had an excellent and constructive meeting with the Iranian federation,” said Grafstrom during a visit to Istanbul. “We are working closely together and very much look forward to welcoming you to the FIFA World Cup.”
New questions arose after Taj was denied entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver earlier this month because of his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The US and Canada, which jointly host the World Cup with Mexico, classify the guard as a “terrorist entity” and have made it clear that they will not allow entry to people with links to the elite military force.
Grafstrom declined to provide details on the visa situation for the Iranian players, but said the two sides had the opportunity to discuss some operational issues and had a positive exchange.
Asked whether FIFA had obtained guarantees about entry and issuing visas for Iranian players, Grafstrom preferred not to go into details.
“We have discussed all the relevant issues, but I think this is not the place to discuss the details,” he said. “Overall, it was a very positive meeting and we look forward to continuing the dialogue.”
Iran had asked for its World Cup games to be moved to Mexico, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists all matches must be played at the originally scheduled venues.
The Iranian delegation will leave Tehran for a training period in Turkey, before heading to their US base, the Kino Sports Complex, in Tucson, in early June.
Iran’s World Cup debut is scheduled for June 15, against New Zealand, in Los Angeles. The team will also face Belgium and Egypt in Group G.
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