Officials from Iran’s football federation were absent from the biggest formal gathering of Asia’s football leaders ahead of the World Cup in Canada.
At the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress in Vancouver, attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, there was no discussion on Iran’s participation in the tournament or calls for the country’s matches to be moved from the United States amid the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Questions had emerged over possible visa difficulties affecting Iran’s ability to attend both the AFC Congress and FIFA’s global congress scheduled for Thursday, as well as preparations for the World Cup beginning on June 11.
The expanded 48-team tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
It remains unclear whether visa complications were the reason for Iran’s absence. During a ceremony honouring the nine AFC nations that qualified, organisers said Iran’s commemorative gift would be handed over “once they arrive.”
An Iranian government spokesperson said last week the national team was preparing for a “proud and successful participation” at the tournament in the United States.
FIFA has repeatedly maintained that Iran’s fixtures will remain unchanged under the schedule announced last December, before military tensions escalated on February 28. The governing body has also dismissed proposals to relocate Iran’s matches to Mexico.
Addressing AFC delegates, Infantino stressed football’s unifying role during global conflicts.
“With many conflicts affecting different parts of the world, we need to find ways to build bridges — or maybe football fields instead,” he said.
Iran have been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt. Team Melli are expected to hold a training camp in Tucson, Arizona, before opening their campaign against New Zealand on June 15 in Inglewood, California.
They will then face Belgium on June 21 in Inglewood before taking on Egypt in their final group match in Seattle on June 26.
