America to welcome Iran at World Cup

Australia grants humanitarian visas to members of Iran’s women’s team at Asia Cup

US President Donald Trump has said Iran is “welcome” to take part in this summer’s World Cup despite the countries being at war, according to Fifa president Gianni Infantino, the BBC reported.

Posting on Instagram, Infantino said he met with Trump on Tuesday to discuss preparations for the tournament, which is being hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico and gets under way on June 11.

Infantino said he and Trump “spoke about the current situation in Iran”.

Iran are scheduled to play three matches in the US, but their participation has been in doubt since the US and Israel launched strikes on the country this month, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” the BBC quoted Infantino as saying.

“We all need an event like the Fifa World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that football unites the world.”

Iran are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21 respectively and Egypt in Seattle on June 26. 

Following the outbreak of military action, Iran football federation president Mehdi Taj has been quoted as saying: “What is certain is that after these attacks, it’s hard to look at the World Cup with hope.”

Meanwhile Australia has granted six humanitarian visas to members of Iran’s women’s team at the ongoing Asia Cup over concerns about their safety after they return home.

The Iran women’s team also declined to sing their national anthem during the tournament’s matches.

The remaining Iran players left Australia on Tuesday after the team’s elimination from the AFC Asian Cup.