USA football chief breaks silence on Iran World Cup boycott threat

Iran have qualified for this summer’s World Cup but there have been suggestions they could pull out of the tournament after the United States launched military action against the nation

The chief executive of US Soccer has not given any indication that the World Cup co-hosts are expecting Iran to pull out of this summer’s tournament despite the United States’ military action against them.

Missile strikes launched by the US and Israel at the weekend have led to question marks over Iran’s status for the World Cup. And Mehdi Taj, the Iranian Football Federation president, was unable to offer any assurances that they would participate in the tournament – which is being held across the United States, Canada and Mexico – in the wake of missile strikes.

“With what happened today and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the cup,” he said.

But US Soccer CEO JT Batson told Sky News that the World Cup co-hosts are “very supportive” of Iran playing in the tournament later this year.

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He said: “Fifa president Gianni Infantino shared over the weekend the intention of a safe and secure World Cup where all teams are participating. And we’re certainly very supportive of that.”

Batson added: “We played Iran a number of times in the World Cup and just like any other team of the 47 other teams we could play in the World Cup, our goal would be to win.

“And so we look forward to doing just that.”

Iran have been drawn in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt, and are due to play their games in Los Angeles and Seattle. There is the potential they could face the USMNT in the Round of 32 knockout round if they advance from their group.

Mattias Grafstrom, Fifa’s general secretary, was asked about the situation while attending the International Football Association Board’s annual general meeting on Saturday.

He told ESPN: “I read the news [about Iran] this morning the same way you did We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world.

“We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating.

“We will continue to communicate as we always do with three [host] governments as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe.”

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