Iran\u2019s government will only decide on the national team\u2019s participation in the World Cup once they receive a response from FIFA over the relocation of its matches, the country\u2019s \u200bMinister of Sport Ahmad Donyamali said. Iran\u2019s football federation (FFIRI) has been pushing to move \u200cthe team\u2019s three World Cup group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, citing American military involvement alongside Israel in strikes that sparked an ongoing war in the region. FFIRI said last month they were in discussions with FIFA about a venue switch, while Iran\u2019s sports ministry has banned national and \u200bclub sports teams from travelling to countries it considers hostile until further notice. FIFA president \u2060Gianni Infantino said last week, however, that Iran would play their matches as scheduled. \u201cOur request \u200bto FIFA to relocate Iran\u2019s games from the US to Mexico is still valid, but we \u200bhave not yet received a response,\u201d Donyamali told Turkish state news agency Anadolu in an interview published over the weekend. \u201cIf accepted, Iran\u2019s participation in the World Cup will be certain. However, FIFA has not yet responded. \u201cAs \u200bthe Minister of Sports, together with the Iranian football federation, we will keep the football \u200bteam ready for the World Cup. However, the final decision will be made by our government.\u201d Iran is scheduled \u200cto \u2060play all of their Group G matches on American soil \u2013 against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before their final fixture against Egypt in Seattle. US President Donald Trump said last month that while Iran\u2019s national team were welcome to play in the US, it might not be appropriate for their \u201clife and \u200bsafety\u201d. He later made it \u2060clear that any threat to players would not come from the United States. \u201cAccording to FIFA\u2019s relevant regulations, security must be provided in the \u200bcountry concerned,\u201d Donyamali added. \u201cHowever, the World Cup is taking place soon, and \u200bproviding guarantees \u2060during this period is questionable. \u201cUnder 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 \u2060will \u200bmake the decision on Iran\u2019s participation in the World \u200bCup.\u201d FIFA did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The World Cup takes place in the US, Mexico and \u200bCanada from June 11 to July 19. \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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