With the full line-up of countries qualified for World Cup after the last play-offs on Tuesday (including Iraq), there are still some doubts: what will happen with Iran? It's been over a month since the war with Israel and USA started, and both the Iranian football federation and the Iranian Ministry of Sport has implied that it will be impossible for them to be at World Cup, where they are scheduled to play three Group Stage matches in the United States.
But FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who made a visit to Turkey, where Iran played a friendly against Costa Rica, winning 5-0, said that Iran will play and they will play in the United States. "The matches will be where they should be according to the draw".
According to the Iranian federation, via Reuters, Infantino also spoke directly with the Iranian players, and told them that "from now until the World Cup, I will do whatever I can to support the Iran national team. If you want to organise a training camp or if there is any matter related to activities outside the country, whatever it is, I will help. Whenever you want, please stay in contact".
One of the Iranian players, the striker Sardar Azmoun, who lives in United Arab Emirates, was omitted from the squad. According to Iranian media reports, he he had been expelled for a perceived act of disloyalty to the government.