Milan, 23 Apr. (LaPresse) – A spokesperson for the Iranian government has stated that the men’s national football team is preparing for a ‘proud and successful’ campaign at the World Cup in the United States. This statement comes just hours after reports in the “Financial Times” suggested that Paolo Zampolli, the US President’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships, had asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy for the upcoming World Cup. “The Ministry of Youth and Sports has announced, on the minister’s orders, that our national football team is fully prepared to take part in the 2026 World Cup in the United States,” Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohejerani said on Iranian state television on Wednesday. FIFA has consistently maintained that Iran will adhere to the World Cup schedule set last December and has rejected any proposal to play the matches in Mexico. A step forward was taken on 31 March, when FIFA President Gianni Infantino travelled to Turkey to meet with Iranian football officials and players, where the team played two warm-up friendlies. Mohejerani added on Wednesday: “The necessary measures have been taken to ensure that these lads can participate with pride and success in the World Cup.”
Iran: ‘National team to compete in World Cup with pride and success’
Milan, 23 Apr. (LaPresse) – A spokesperson for the Iranian government has stated that the men’s national football team is preparing for a ‘proud and successful’ campaign at the World Cup in the United States. This statement comes just hours after reports in the “Financial Times” suggested that Paolo Zampolli, the US President’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships, had asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy for the upcoming World Cup. “The Ministry of Youth and Sports has announced, on the minister’s orders, that our national football team is fully prepared to take part in the 2026 World Cup in the United States,” Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohejerani said on Iranian state television on Wednesday. FIFA has consistently maintained that Iran will adhere to the World Cup schedule set last December and has rejected any proposal to play the matches in Mexico. A step forward was taken on 31 March, when FIFA President Gianni Infantino travelled to Turkey to meet with Iranian football officials and players, where the team played two warm-up friendlies. Mohejerani added on Wednesday: “The necessary measures have been taken to ensure that these lads can participate with pride and success in the World Cup.”
