Trump’s true stance on World Cup spot for Iran clear | Football | Sport
A White House official has stated he ‘expects’ Iran to participate in the World Cup following reassurances from the FIFA president. The nation’s place at this summer’s tournament has been cast into doubt since their conflict with the USA and Israel erupted.
President Donald Trump provided an update earlier this year and while he stated he would welcome Iran, he advised them against travelling over concerns regarding their safety. He said: “The Iran national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
And with FIFA president Gianni Infantino having provided an update in recent days, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA World Cup task force, has also commented.
Speaking to Politico, he said: “I’m not going to speak for the Iranian team, but I will say that the president, when I’ve talked to him, has invited the Iranian team here.
“The president of FIFA made a statement, I think, yesterday, that they’re going to be coming. So we expect them here. We expect them to be in Tucson at the beginning of June, and then playing in LA and Seattle.”
Iran are scheduled to face Puerto Rico in the USA in a pre-tournament friendly, and Giuliani believes the match will proceed as planned.
He added: “I had heard that as well. So, you know, they’re still on. From my understanding, no plans have changed with the friendly.”
Giuliani’s remarks follow an update from Infantino himself, who stated he is confident the Iranian squad will attend the World Cup.
He said: “The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes. We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation.”
“As I said, that would definitely help. But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”
Infantino added: “I went to see them. They are actually quite a good team as well. And they really want to play and they should play. Sports should be outside of politics now.
“OK we don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth. But you know if there is nobody else that believes in building bridges and in keeping them, you know, intact and together, well we are doing that job.”
