03/11/26 03:18:00
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03/11 15:15 CDT Iran's sports minister says the country can't take part in the
World Cup because of US attacks
Iran's sports minister says the country can't take part in the World Cup
because of US attacks
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) --- Iran's sports and youth minister said it's
"not possible" for the country to take part in the World Cup after the United
States killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in its ongoing war.
Iran was expected to take part in the World Cup that will be held across North
America in June, but Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali told
state television that his country's soccer team players are not safe in the
U.S., according to a video of the interview posted Tuesday.
"Due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran --- they have imposed two
wars on us over just eight or nine months and have killed and martyred
thousands of our people --- definitely it's not possible for us to take part in
the World Cup," he said.
Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June
15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt in Seattle
on June 26. The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June
11 to July 19.
FIFA said Tuesday night that it anticipates that Iran's national team will be
allowed to come to the United States.
Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said "I really don't care" if Iran takes
part in the 48-nation tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he met with Trump on Tuesday night "to
discuss the status of preparations" for the tournament. During the meeting,
Trump "reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in
the tournament in the United States," Infantino wrote in an Instagram post.
A White House official, granted anonymity to discuss private conversations,
confirmed Trump's message to Infantino about Iran's participation.
Since June, Iran has been subject to a travel ban into the U.S. as part of the
Trump administration's immigration crackdown. But athletes and coaches from the
target nations are exempt, which means the Iranian team would be allowed to
enter.
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Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed to this report.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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