FIFA responds after Donald Trump triggers conflict in Iran ahead of World Cup

The FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom has said they will 'monitor developments' after the United States - co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup - launched military action against Iran

FIFA will 'monitor developments' in Iran in the wake of military action being launched against them by the United States, their secretary general has said.

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that “major combat operations” were underway after launching missile strikes on Iran alongside Israel on Saturday morning.

Iran have qualified for the World Cup, which will be held across America, Canada and Mexico this summer. The Middle Eastern nation have been drawn in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt - but the situation will be monitored in the wake of the US strikes.

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“I read the news [about Iran] this morning the same way you did,” said Mattias Grafstrom, who was at the International Football Association Board's annual general meeting in Cardiff, Wales on Saturday, via ESPN. “We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world.

“We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating.

“We will continue to communicate as we always do with three [host] governments as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe.”

Iran are scheduled to play two of their group games in Los Angeles, with the third taking place in Seattle.

All flights into and out of Dubai Airport have been suspended amid the fallout from US strikes on Iran, leaving players participating in the Dubai Tennis Championship stranded.

It was confirmed that all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) had been halted after the city was hit by an explosion on Saturday.

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