US President Donald Trump has expressed support, albeit reserved, for allowing Iran to play World Cup matches on American soil during the soccer tournament this summer, Anadolu reports. “Do what you want. You don’t have to have them. They certainly have a good team,” he added.

In announcing that Iran’s national team will take part in the matches held in the US, FIFA head Gianni Infantino argued that the decision is based on the responsibility to “unite people”, as football remains a unique force that “unites the world”. qualified for the tournament, which begins on June 11 in the US, Canada and Mexico. The team is scheduled to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, as well as Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Iran’s request to move the matches to Mexico, one of the co-host countries, was rejected by FIFA.

However, the path to participation remains uncertain. Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, said the country could not participate “under any circumstances,” citing the Feb. 28 assassination of then-supreme leader Ali Khamenei at the start of the U.S.-Israel offensive.

“This corrupt regime has killed our leader,” he said.

Trump in March said that while Iran’s team would be welcome at the World Cup, it would not. thought it was appropriate for them to participate “for their safety and their lives”.

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Source: prizrenpost