Belgium will face Iran at US-held World Cup, FIFA president confirms

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has expressed confidence that Iran will take part in this summer's FIFA World Cup. Due to the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran, there has been much uncertainty about the participation of the Middle Eastern country, which is scheduled to face Belgium on 21 June in Inglewood, Los Angeles.

"The Iranian team is coming, for sure," Infantino said at an economic conference in Washington organised by CNBC on Wednesday. "We hope that the situation will be peaceful by then," he added. The tournament kicks off on 11 June. Infantino had previously stated that Iran "must come. They represent their people, they have qualified, the players want to play."

All three of Iran's matches in the tournament's group stage are scheduled to take place in the United States. But the country's participation was thrown into doubt by US president Donald Trump last month, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. "I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety," Trump wrote on social media.

Iran's Sport minister Ahmad Donyamali initially responded by ruling out participation entirely, saying the country would not attend "under any circumstances." Iran's football federation president subsequently held talks with FIFA about moving Iran's matches from US venues to Mexico, but FIFA rejected the request, citing the logistical complexity involved.

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Tone from Tehran softens

Earlier this week, however, Donyamali's position appeared to shift. "The more normal the situation in our country becomes, the greater the chance of us taking part," he told Iranian media, adding that the ceasefire between the warring parties would need to hold and that the United States would need to guarantee the safety of players and coaching staff.

Iran's participation is particularly important for the Belgian national team, as the two teams are in the same group for the tournament. Belgium is scheduled to play Iran on 21 June in Inglewood, Los Angeles. Iran's other group-stage matches are against New Zealand on 15 June and against Egypt on 26 June.

^{FIFA president Gianni Infantino. PHOTO © Kent NISHIMURA / AFP}

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