Overview
- Iranian athletes would be welcome to play, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday at the White House, though delegation members with links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could be denied entry.
- President Donald Trump gave a noncommittal response to a proposal to replace Iran with Italy, a suggestion floated by U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli that FIFA has not endorsed.
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reiterated that Iran remains in the tournament, rejecting calls to move Iran’s group games to Mexico and saying the team is coming.
- Iran’s government says the team is fully prepared, yet Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali has tied participation to evolving security and political conditions, leaving visas and staffing choices under review.
- The team is slated to play group matches in Los Angeles and Seattle and to base in Tucson by June 10, but entry clearances for key officials, including federation president Mehdi Taj who missed December’s draw, remain unresolved and could force last‑minute changes or an AFC replacement if Iran pulls out.