FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he is proud of the work his team has done to get Iran to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He said this in a press briefing ahead of the opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca Stadium on June 11.
This year’s World Cup will take place against the backdrop of a war between Iran and the United States of America and its ally Israel.
The tensed situation has dominated world politics and led to Iran relocating its camp base for the World Cup from the United States to Mexico.
As part of the arrangement, Iran will reside in Mexico and fly to the United States to play games before returning to Mexico. Iran has been drawn in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.
“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup, I promised them they will come and if I have to go on a bus to Tehran and drive them here I will do that. Their answer was we will take the bus and drive ourselves if needs be. We qualified and we want to play. This is the spirit of football.”
“There are challenges, it’s not easy… I am very happy we managed to get Iran to come and play. I am proud of the work of my team” Infantino said.
