Before the start of today’s friendly against Costa Rica, played in Turkey, Iran’s national soccer players displayed photos of the victims of a bombed school. The president of FIFA has given new assurances that the Islamic Republic will be present this summer at the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Iran beat Costa Rica 5-0 in a friendly in Antalya, with a brace from former Inter Milan player Taremi, plus other goals from Gholizadeh, Mohebi and Ghaedi. During the anthem, Iranian players displayed photos of children killed in the February 28 airstrike on a school in the city of Minab. At least 170 students and teachers were killed.
“Iran will be at the World Cup and will play in the USA in Seattle and Los Angeles as scheduled. Football brings unity and hope, even in the most difficult circumstances, and FIFA will continue to support Iran to ensure the best possible conditions as it prepares for the World Cup. I look forward to seeing them send a positive message of humanity and solidarity to the world“, wrote, in a post on social networks, the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, who commented on the meeting held with the players of the Iranian national team.
“It was a pleasure to meet the players of the Iran national football team before their friendly match against Costa Rica in Antalya“, Infantino also said.
“I had the opportunity to spend time with the players, as well as Mehdi Mohammed Nabi, First Vice-President of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Omid Jamali, the head of international relations of the federation, and coach Amir Ghalenoei”, concluded the head of FIFA.
