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Iranian soccer officials will meet FIFA in Zurich to discuss their World Cup games in the U.S. in June. The meeting is crucial as Iran prepares for group matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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Iran is an Asian soccer power but its ability and willingness to come to the World Cup has been questioned since the U.S. and Israel launched military attacks on Feb. 28. The tournament is being co-hosted by Canada and Mexico, On Thursday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino opened his keynote speech to global soccer leaders — with only Iran missing of the 211 member federations — insisting again that Iran will come and play as scheduled in the U.S. At the White House later Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed his support for Iran’s team, adding: “If Gianni said it, I’m OK.” over the World Cup preparations which has challenges, beyond Iran with fans from several African countries, over and security concerns.
Iranian officials plan to address various concerns related to their participation in the World Cup games in the U.S.
Iran's World Cup group games are scheduled from June 15 to June 26 against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.
Iran faces challenges including geopolitical tensions and visa issues for its officials, which have raised questions about their ability to participate.
Iran's matches will be held at the NFL stadium of the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, California, and at the Seattle Seahawks' stadium in Seattle.
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Taj and two more Iran officials had issues this week on landing in Toronto en route to Vancouver where they were expected at the FIFA annual meeting. Taj, who is also a vice president of Asia’s soccer body, detailed on Friday the problems with Canadian authorities though he said he was not deported. “In Canada they asked us, ‘Are you members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps?’ We told them, ‘In Iran, 90 million of us are IRGC,’” Taj was reported as saying in Iranian media. After being detained for two hours at Toronto airport, the Iran soccer delegation which had arrived from Istanbul was told it could continue the journey. “There was some discussion and he said, ‘It’s up to you,’ and then we decided as a group to go back” to Istanbul, Taj said. “They did not officially deport us, there is nothing labeled as deportation in our file, but in practice it was like that.” Taj had a valid visa to enter Canada after he was denied one by the U.S. to attend the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5. At that event, Infantino presented Trump with the first FIFA Peace Prize.
Iran has World Cup group games against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, respectively, from June 15-26. The first two games are at the NFL stadium of the Los Angeles Rams and the third is at the Seattle Seahawks’ stadium. If Iran advances as runner-up in its group, the team could face the United States in the round of 32 at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium on July 3. The Iranian soccer league shut down after the war started and is not due to resume before the World Cup. The squad played two warmup games in March at a training camp in Antalya, Turkey, where it could return this month to prepare for the World Cup that opens on June 11. \\\_ AP soccer: