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By Goli Innocent
President Donald Trump has said Iran will be allowed to participate in the next FIFA World Cup in North America despite tensions linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Infantino disclosed this on Wednesday after holding discussions with Trump on preparations for the global football tournament scheduled to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The FIFA chief said the situation in Iran also featured during the meeting, noting that the U.S. leader made it clear the Iranian national team would not be barred from the competition.
“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino wrote in a post on Instagram.
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The comment comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that have raised questions about the participation of some countries in international sporting events.
Iran has historically maintained a strong presence in global football competitions and remains one of Asia’s most competitive national teams.
The upcoming World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to be one of the largest editions of the tournament.
Football authorities say preparations for the event remain on track, with organisers focusing on logistics, security and ensuring the participation of qualified teams from around the world.
