FIFA President Gianni Infantino posted on Instagram on the 11th: “Tonight I met with President Trump. We discussed preparations for the upcoming World Cup and the growing anticipation with 93 days until kickoff.”
Infantino said they also discussed Iran’s current situation and the fact that Iran’s national team secured qualification. He added that Trump reaffirmed he welcomes Iran’s participation in a tournament that will be held, in part, in the United States.
“Events like the World Cup that bring people together are exactly what we need right now,” Infantino said. He thanked the president for his support and said it underscores how soccer can unite the world.
Earlier this month, in an interview with Politico, Trump said he “really doesn’t care” when asked about Iran’s participation in the World Cup.
The U.S. and Israel began airstrikes against Iran late last month and, as of that day, had carried out 12 days of strikes. They warned of what they called “the most intense airstrikes” and struck targets across Iran, including the capital, Tehran.
Iran has retaliated by attacking Israeli and U.S.-linked facilities in the Middle East, further escalating tensions with Washington. Analysts are watching whether the conflict will spill over into or otherwise affect the North American World Cup.
In June’s tournament, Iran will play all of its group-stage matches in the United States as part of Group G, where it will face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.
If Iran and the United States — placed in Group D — both finish second in their respective groups, they could meet in the Round of 32, the tournament’s first knockout round.
