Meeting Between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Iran National Football Team

Staff Report: PNN

Before a friendly match against Costa Rica in Antalya, Turkey, FIFA President Gianni Infantino held an unexpected meeting with the Iran national football team. He traveled from Florida, USA, to Turkey, marking his first engagement with the Iranian national team following the recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in the past month.

During a press interaction, Infantino confirmed that Iran would play their World Cup matches in the United States as per the scheduled draw. He said, “Matches will be held wherever scheduled. We want them to play, and they will participate in the World Cup.”

Iran’s national team defeated Costa Rica 5–0 in the friendly match. Before the match, during the national anthem, coach Amir Ghalenoei and federation vice-president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi held photos of children killed in the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, honoring their memory.

Infantino posted on Instagram, pledging FIFA’s continued support for Iran’s World Cup preparations. He stated, “FIFA will always stand by the team to ensure they play in the best possible environment.”

Although Iranian officials and the football federation expressed concerns about the team’s safety, the FIFA president confirmed that there would be no alternative arrangements for the World Cup. The tournament, starting on June 11, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran will play two group matches in California and one in Seattle.

During pre-World Cup friendlies, players symbolically carried small backpacks in memory of the children killed in the airstrikes. Infantino commented, “There is division in the world, but our work is to bridge it. Iran represents its people, reflecting its dignity as a football-loving nation.”

As one of Asia’s strongest teams, Iran will face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in the group stage, with the potential to advance to the knockout rounds. FIFA and the Iranian Football Federation are ensuring that the team participates in a safe and prepared environment before the tournament begins.