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The original was posted on /r/soccer by /u/Sparky-moon on 2026-02-28 15:01:25+00:00.
FIFA says it is focusing on “everybody participating” in this summer’s World Cup in the wake of the American military attack on Iran.
Speaking at a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Wales, FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom was asked by reporters about how the escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran could affect the World Cup.
He said: “I read the news the same way you did this morning. We had a meeting (the AGM) today and it would be premature to comment on that in detail.
“But of course we will monitor the developments around all issues around the world.
“We had a final draw in Washington where all teams participated and of course our focus is a safe World Cup with everybody participating.”
Speaking to The Athletic after the draw, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei mostly deferred to FIFA and declined to discuss politics.
When asked if he was concerned that members of the team and staff would not be able to get visas for the World Cup, he said — through his translator, an Iranian football federation official — that “everybody, FIFA, is trying. As they promised, they will do their best [so that] all the team, staff and the players [can] be present here for World Cup participation.”