[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, Iran will send a delegation to FIFA’s headquarters this month for talks over its participation in the World Cup. Despite various difficulties caused by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Iran still plans to play all three of its group stage matches in the United States in June. With only 46 days left before Iran’s opening Group G fixture against New Zealand in Los Angeles, there are still many issues to be discussed, as Mehdi Taj, President of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, stated on Friday. Taj was unable to attend the FIFA Congress held in Canada on Thursday due to his links with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. After he was denied entry at the border, Iran became the only country without representatives present at the Vancouver conference. As a result, FIFA has taken the initiative to contact the Iranian Football Federation to arrange crucial talks in Switzerland.
The editor believes that US President Donald Trump had previously stated that it would be inappropriate for Iran to participate in the World Cup for their own safety, but he changed his stance on Thursday. Iran plans to base itself in Tucson, Arizona during its stay in the United States, with two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, and their participation in the World Cup is now welcomed by Trump.