Iran’s football chief says team will play in World Cup hosted by US, Canada and Mexico, but maintains boycott of United States itself.

TEHRAN: Iran’s football federation chief Mehdi Taj has confirmed the national team will participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, despite maintaining a boycott of the United States.

“We boycott the US, but not the World Cup,” Taj was quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA. He added that preparations for the tournament are underway.

The men’s World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran, which has already qualified, had previously requested its matches be moved from US soil to co-host Mexico.

Taj did not specify what form the boycott of the US would take, including whether it would involve refusing to play matches in the country. World governing body FIFA is in contact with the Iranian federation but earlier this week appeared to reject any relocation of matches.

Iran is drawn in a group with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt for the tournament’s initial phase. The nation is currently in a state of conflict with both the United States and Israel.

 The Sun Malaysia