With the war between the United States and Iran showing no signs of abating, uncertainty continues to loom large over the latter’s participation in the FIFA World Cup to be hosted by the US in June this year.
US military’s involvement with Israel in strikes on Iran has ignited a widespread conflict in West Asia, and overshadowed the FIFA World Cup which is set to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the US with 48 teams from June 11 to July 19. Iran are slated to play all their Group G matches in the US – against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and the final group match against Egypt in Seattle.
Iran's Minister of Sport, Ahmad Donyamali, said that a final decision on the team’s participation will be made by the government only after getting a response from FIFA on its request to relocate their World Cup group-stage matches from the US to Mexico.
The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) said last month that it was engaged in discussions with FIFA regarding a change of venues. Iran's sports ministry has suspended national and club sports teams from travelling to hostile countries, until further notice.
Chances are slim that FIFA would entertain Iran’s request, as President Gianni Infantino indicated last week that their matches would proceed as scheduled in the US. However, Minister Donyamali reiterated Iran's position in an interview with Turkey's state news agency Anadolu: "Our request to FIFA to relocate Iran's games from the US to Mexico is still valid, but we have not yet received a response.
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"As the Minister of Sports, together with the Iranian football federation, we will keep the football team ready for the World Cup. However, the final decision will be made by our government."
Notably, US President Donald Trump said last month that while Iranian national football team would be welcome, concerns regarding their "life and safety" might be a consideration. He later clarified that any threat to the players would not originate from the US.
Minister Donyamali added: "According to FIFA's relevant regulations, security must be provided in the country concerned." He raised doubts about the feasibility of ensuring these guarantees given the World Cup was just about two months away. "However, the World Cup is taking place soon, and providing guarantees during this period is questionable.
“Under these circumstances, the possibility of Iran participating in the World Cup matches in the US is very low. But, if the relevant security guarantees are provided, our government will make the decision on Iran's participation in the World Cup."
If FIFA refuses to shift their matches out of the US, and so, they pull out of the World Cup, Iran will have to forfeit around $9 million in participation fees. They will also have to return $1.5 million that FIFA gave each team that qualified for the tournament for preparations. FIFA may also suspend them from future competitions or impose a fine to the tune of $570,000 if they withdraw within 30 days of the opening match and $280,000 if they pull out more than 30 days before the tournament kick-off.