Infantino tries to cool the World Cup chaos, somewhat successfully

FIFA president Gianni Infantino told AFP on Tuesday that Iran “will be at the World Cup” and will play its group-stage matches in the United States as planned, even with the Middle East war still clouding the tournament.

He made the comments at half-time of Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica in Turkey, a visit that apparently was not on anyone’s public calendar.

“Iran will be at the World Cup,” Infantino said.

“That’s why we’re here. We’re delighted because they’re a very, very strong team, I’m very happy.”

Infantino said he had watched the team and spoken with the players and coach, adding that “everything is fine.”

He also stressed that Iran’s “matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.”

What Iran’s schedule looks like

The World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the tournament set to begin on June 11.

Iran are scheduled to open Group G against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They will then face Belgium, also in Los Angeles, on June 21, before finishing the group stage against Egypt in Seattle on June 27.

Their participation had been under question because of the war involving the US and Israel that began on February 28.

Earlier this month, the Iranian football federation said it was “negotiating” with FIFA about moving the country’s World Cup matches out of the United States and into Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum later said Mexico would be ready to host Iran’s first-round games if needed.

Trump’s mixed signals did not help

Infantino had initially said US President Donald Trump had given assurances that the Iranian team would still be welcome.

Trump then went the other way and said Iran’s team should not travel to the tournament “for their own life and safety.” Iran responded by saying that “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup.”

On March 19, Infantino said FIFA remained committed to making sure the World Cup goes ahead “as scheduled” with “all teams” taking part.

Speaking from Zurich during an online FIFA Council meeting, he said FIFA wanted every team to compete “in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect.”

He also said FIFA could not solve geopolitical conflicts, a useful reminder for anyone expecting world football’s governing body to suddenly become the United Nations with better branding.

“FIFA can't solve geopolitical conflicts, but we are committed to using the power of football and the World Cup to build bridges and promote peace as our thoughts are with those who are suffering as a consequence of the ongoing wars,” Infantino said.

A second friendly, and a grim tribute

Iran also played Nigeria in the Turkish town of Belek last Friday.

Before that match, the players wore black armbands and held school rucksacks while the national anthem played, honoring victims of a strike on a primary school in Iran on the first day of the Middle East war.

That airstrike hit a school in the southern Iranian city of Minab on February 28 and killed at least 170 people, including students and teachers.

The New York Times reported that preliminary findings from a US military investigation indicate a US Tomahawk cruise missile struck the school because of a targeting mistake.