Overview
- FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom, who met FFIRI president Mehdi Taj in Istanbul on Saturday, said the talks were constructive and that FIFA expects Iran to play.
- Grafstrom declined to detail visa arrangements for Iran’s delegation, saying FIFA is working with authorities on entry and other operational needs.
- Iran remains scheduled to play all three group games in the United States, opening against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before facing Belgium and Egypt.
- FIFA rejected Iran’s bid to move its matches to Mexico, with President Gianni Infantino insisting games stay at their original venues.
- Concerns grew after late February attacks on Iran, and Canada blocked Taj from its FIFA Congress over past IRGC ties that both the U.S. and Canada treat as grounds to deny entry.