Overview
- - Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John said the Iranian federation has told the AFC it will attend, adding, “As far as we know, Iran is playing.”
- - The message conflicts with Iran sports minister Ahmad Donyamali’s statement last week that the team cannot participate.
- - FIFA has not been formally notified of a withdrawal and its regulations give the body sole discretion to remove or replace a team, a step with no modern precedent.
- - President Donald Trump urged Iran to skip the tournament for its “life and safety,” after FIFA’s Gianni Infantino said Trump told him Iran would be welcome; Iran’s foreign ministry asked FIFA to address the safety doubts.
- - Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, then Egypt on June 26 in Seattle, with no definitive ruling expected before the April 30 FIFA congress.