Overview
- Mehdi Taj said Wednesday he will meet FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the next three or four days to seek guarantees that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and state institutions will not be disrespected during the World Cup in the United States.
- Backed by Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, officials said host nations must issue visas without political motives and that FIFA is responsible for ensuring the team’s travel and access needs.
- FIFA invited Iran’s federation to Zurich by May 20 to prepare for the tournament, and Gianni Infantino has reaffirmed that Iran will play its World Cup matches in the United States.
- The United States says Iranian players are welcome but anyone with ties to the Revolutionary Guard will be denied entry, following Canada’s cancellation of Taj’s visa on the same grounds under its terrorist designation of the force.
- Team Melli is continuing preparations with training in Tehran, a two‑week camp in Turkey, and plans to arrive in the U.S. about two weeks before kickoff, and winger Ali Gholizadeh will miss the tournament with a torn ACL as Iran bases in Tucson with group games in Los Angeles and Seattle in June.