Iran won't be booted out of World Cup and will play in US, says FIFA boss Infantino

The head of FIFA has said Iran will still compete at the World Cup and play matches in the US because "we have to unite".

There has been speculation the players could be denied entry to America due to the conflict between the two countries. The competition is due to be held in the US, Canada and Mexico.

An envoy for President Trump said last week he had even raised the prospect with Mr Infantino of Italy replacing Iran.

However Gianni Infantino told the opening of FIFA's congress on Thursday that the Iranians weren't being booted out.

"We have to bring people together. It is my responsibility. It is our responsibility," he said.

"Football unites the world. FIFA unites the world. You unite the world. We unite the world."

Mr Infantino, who has Italian as well as Swiss citizenship, was speaking hours before he said he planned for seek a fourth term as president of world football's governing body.

Iran had asked for all their matches to take place in Mexico, but the request was denied. The team are scheduled to play twice in Los Angeles in the group stages and once in Seattle.

Members of the country's football federation were denied entry to Canada this week - FIFA's annual meeting is being held in the western city of Vancouver.

Iran was announced as absent at a roll call when all the nations were named, while a small group of protesters with Iranian flags stood outside.

The World Cup kicks off on 11 June but the build up has been beset by criticism from fans about high ticket prices and vastly inflated transports costs to get to some stadiums.

Mr Infantino - himself a divisive figure - pushed back at the cost concerns.

He said FIFA had sold "100% of the inventory that we put on the market".

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"There are expensive tickets, yes, and there are also affordable tickets," he told delegates.

"And what is important is that all the revenues that we generate from the world go back to you, go back to the entire world and finance football in all of your countries."

The number of "more affordable" tickets was increased in December following the initial outcry, but the vast majority are in the hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

Last week, four seats for the 19 July final appeared on FIFA's official "resale/exchange marketplace" for an eyewatering $2.3m (£1.7m) each.

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