ANTALYA (TURKEY) (ITALPRESS) – Iran does not forget, but it will take part in the World Cup. Iranian players took to the field in Antalya, where a friendly match against Costa Rica was scheduled, displaying during the national anthem photos of children killed, as well as hospitals and historical monuments that were damaged, in front of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Before the match, during a press conference at the Titanic Mardan Palace Sports Complex in Antalya, the vice president of the Tehran Football Federation, Mehdi Muhammed Nabi, clarified the country’s participation in the upcoming World Cup: “We will be there,” he said, as reported by Turkish media. “We respect FIFA rules and we will play wherever FIFA decides, whether it is the United States, Mexico, or Canada.”
Nabi also said that Infantino met with the team and that his words had a positive impact on the players’ morale.
As for the match itself, Team Melli crushed their opponents 5–0, with a brace from former Inter player Taremi (both penalties), and goals from Gholizadeh, Mohebi, and Ghaedi.
In recent weeks, Iran had requested to move its Group G matches from Los Angeles and Seattle to Mexico, where it is set to face Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had stated that it “would not be appropriate” for Iran to participate in the tournament, “for their own life and safety.”
Mexico, for its part, through President Claudia Sheinbaum, left the decision to FIFA, stating that it would have no problem hosting Iran’s matches.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
