FIFA Boss Infantino Urges Iran To Participate In World Cup

BERLIN, March 31 (Bernama-dpa) -- FIFA president Gianni Infantino is pushing for Iran to participate in the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer despite the conflict against co-hosts US and Israel.

"We want Iran to play, and Iran will play in the World Cup. There is no plan B, C, or D - there is only plan A," he told Mexican broadcaster N+ Univision in an interview, reported German news agency dpa.

"Iran represent their people - both those living in Iran and those living abroad," Infantino said, urging the country to participate. 

Due to the escalation of conflict in West Asia, the Iran national team does not want to play their three group stage matches in the US as planned, but in Mexico instead.

It is unclear whether FIFA can or even is willing to accept this request. Infantino stressed that the federation wants to ensure that Iran can participate in the World Cup "under the best possible conditions."

He acknowledged, however, that the situation is "very complicated."

The US and Israel have been attacking Iran since late February, while Iran is carrying out retaliatory strikes.

Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj has recently said the team is boycotting the US, but not the World Cup, without providing further details, according state-run news agency IRNA.

--BERNAMA-dpa