Iran 'Very Confident' in FIFA Protocols Ahead of US World Cup Amid War

Antalya, Turkey – Iran's football federation vice-president, Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, declared on Tuesday that he is "very confident" in FIFA's established protocols as the national team prepares for the World Cup in the United States. This statement comes as geopolitical tensions remain high, with the U.S. having begun bombing Iran on February 28 alongside Israel, escalating a broader conflict in the Middle East.

The Iranian national team arrived in Turkey on Monday for a pre-tournament training camp. They are scheduled to remain there for several weeks before traveling to the World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States. Mohammad Nabi emphasized that all logistical and security arrangements would proceed smoothly, adhering strictly to FIFA's guidelines. "Everything will proceed properly according to the protocols and what FIFA has stipulated," he stated.

Mohammad Nabi highlighted the robust security infrastructure in place, noting that the United States has its own committees, including a dedicated security committee that collaborates closely with FIFA. This committee is responsible for all security matters related to the tournament. He added, "Inside the United States, they also have committees in place, including a security committee that cooperates with FIFA and is responsible for security matters."

Drawing on past experiences, the vice-president expressed familiarity and assurance with these arrangements. "In past years we've experienced all of this and we're fully informed about how these security committees operate at every World Cup we've participated in," he explained. "In this regard, we're very confident and we have a clear plan."

A significant hurdle for the Iranian delegation remains the acquisition of U.S. visas. Iranian officials have previously indicated that players and staff have not yet received their visas. The team intends to apply for these at the Canadian embassy in Turkey. Mohammad Nabi acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding visa issuance, stating, "We're not certain yet that all the players and staff will receive US visas."

However, he underscored FIFA's regulations, which mandate that host nations provide guarantees, including necessary visa facilities for all participating teams. "One of the rules that applies to the host country is that they must provide guarantees, according to FIFA's statutes and the regulations of the competition," he affirmed. "One of their commitments is the visas: they have to grant the necessary visa facilities to all the teams that have qualified for the World Cup." He further noted that FIFA has made arrangements to ensure the host country provides the required cooperation to teams like Iran in this crucial area.

Iran's World Cup campaign is set to commence on June 15 with their opening Group G match against New Zealand in Los Angeles. They will subsequently face Belgium in the same city, followed by a match against Egypt in Seattle. During their stay in the United States for the tournament, the team's base will be located in Tucson, Arizona.