On Saturday, a meeting between the Iranian Football Federation and FIFA took place in Istanbul, less than a month before the start of the World Cup.
The FIFA Secretary-General, Mattias Grafström, deemed the meeting with the Iranian football federation in Istanbul to ensure Iran’s participation in the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico as “very constructive.”
“Our meeting with the Iranian Football Federation has been very constructive. We are working closely together and look forward to welcoming the Islamic Republic of Iran to the World Cup,” said the FIFA representative in a statement.
The President of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, had stated on Thursday that no visas had been issued yet for the Team Melli. The procedure is expected to be finalized in Turkey.
Regarding the meeting with FIFA on Saturday, Mr. Taj also described it as “positive and constructive.”
“Each party was able to express their concerns while affirming a joint commitment to ensuring the participation of Team Melli in the World Cup,” Mr. Taj said, according to a FIFA statement.
The Iranian national team will depart for a training camp in Turkey before heading to the United States amid tensions between Tehran and Washington. The squad will consist of 30 players, with a maximum of 26 finally selected for the World Cup.
The head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, defended his selection, stating that only technical criteria were considered. Iran will set up its base camp in Tucson, Arizona, and play against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in the group stage matches to begin on June 15 in Los Angeles.
