Iran’s men’s national football team is still planning to participate in the upcoming World Cup in North America, despite warnings that their safety could be at risk.
The Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) General Secretary, Windsor Paul John, said on Monday that there has been no official information suggesting that Iran will withdraw from the tournament.
“As far as we know, Iran is playing,” Windsor Paul John said at a press conference at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
“We are monitoring whether they are playing or not, but at the moment they are. There is no official information that they are not playing,” he added.
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Windsor stressed that the AFC wants Iran, which he described as a “top team,” to participate in the global showpiece.
“So we hope that they will solve their issues and be able to participate in the World Cup,” he said.
However, U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Thursday that the team’s “life and safety” could be at risk if they attend the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The warning comes amid tensions following a war triggered by U.S.–Israeli strikes on February 28, which has raised uncertainty over Iran’s participation.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 and will be held across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It will also mark the first World Cup to be hosted by three nations.
