FIFA and Iran hold talks ahead of the World Cup.

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The FIFA Secretary-General described his Saturday meeting with the head of Iran’s Football Federation (FFIRI) as “constructive” as concerns about the nation’s participation in next month’s World Cup have not abated.

He met with the FFIRI President in Istanbul and expressed confidence about Iran competing in the United States, despite hostilities between the two countries extending into their third month.

“We’ve had an excellent meeting and constructive meeting together with the Iran FA,” he said during a visit to Istanbul. “We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup.”

Iran is slated to play all three of their group matches in the United States, beginning with a contest vs. New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They are also scheduled to take on Belgium in Los Angeles and conclude Group G play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Iran asked that their games be moved to Mexico, but the FIFA President denied that request.

The FFIRI President has served as president of Iran’s governing body since 2022, but he had previously served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The 66-year-old was not allowed to enter the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada earlier this month due to his IRGC ties.

Canada and the United States, who are co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico, have classified the IRGC as a “terrorist entity” and have stated that they will not permit people with ties to that group in their respective nations.

The FIFA Secretary-General would not specifically address entry and visa arrangements for Iranian players. The discussion with the FFIRI President primarily involved operational issues.

“We’ve discussed all relevant matters, but I think it’s not the place to discuss the details,” he said. “Overall, a very positive meeting and we’re looking forward to continuing the dialogue.”

The FFIRI President also shared that the meeting with FIFA officials was positive.

“I am pleased that they listened to Iran’s points, all 10 points that we had raised, and they offered solutions for each of them. I hope, God willing, that our national team can go to the World Cup without any problems and achieve very good results there,” he said.

The Iranian squad is scheduled to leave Tehran for a training camp in Turkey on Monday. Their base in the United States is located at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, and they are slated to travel there in early June.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, located in Washington, D.C., serves as the United States’ national cultural center, dedicated to the performing arts. It opened on September 8, 1971, as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, who advocated for the arts during his presidency. The center hosts a wide range of performances, including theater, dance, and music, and is renowned for its iconic architecture along the Potomac River.

Kino Sports Complex

The Kino Sports Complex, located in Tucson, Arizona, is a major sports and entertainment venue originally developed as the spring training home for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox. Built on the

Kino Sports Complex

The Kino Sports Complex, located in Tucson, Arizona, is a multi-purpose sports facility originally established in the 1960s as part of the Pima County Fairgrounds. It gained prominence as the spring training home for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox, hosting Major League Baseball games until 2016. Today, the complex features multiple baseball fields, a soccer stadium, and other venues, serving as a hub for amateur and professional sports events.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, located in Washington, D.C., is a national cultural center dedicated to the performing arts. It opened in 1971 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, who championed the arts, and was built with both public and private funding. The center hosts a wide range of performances, including theater, dance, and music, and serves as a major hub for American culture and education.