FIFA optimistic amid chaos 100 days out from the World Cup

NEW YORK – Despite the unprecedented situation of a host country being at war with a World Cup qualifier, football’s world governing body FIFA is still optimistic about its upcoming tournament which is 100 days away from kicking off. 

The US joined Israel last weekend in starting a war with Iran, just a few months before the Iranian national team are scheduled to play their first World Cup match in mid-June in Los Angeles. No decision has been made on Iran’s participation, with a FIFA official saying on Feb 28 that the organiser is monitoring the situation. 

The head of the Iranian football federation, Mehdi Taj, warned within hours of the start of the war that his nation could refuse to play at the tournament, saying “we cannot look forward to the World Cup with hope”.

US President Donald Trump said on March 3 that he did not care whether Iran will take part in the quadrennial showpiece.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s message on March 3 – to mark 100 days to go until the World Cup begins – avoided directly mentioning the war, saying that the tournament “will have the world coming together, and this is probably the most important fact in this particular period of time”.

However, Amy Hopfinger, FIFA’s chief strategy and planning officer, said on March 3 during an interview for the Bloomberg Business Of Soccer podcast that the organisation was working closely with host cities and governments to “make sure that we are delivering the most safe and secure World Cup that we possibly can”.

Other potential hurdles for World Cup organisers have emerged in Mexico, which joins the US and Canada as host nations. In late February, violence erupted in Guadalajara, where four matches are scheduled to be hosted, after a crackdown on a drug cartel. 

A weekend of violence left at least 27 security agents, 46 suspected cartel members and one civilian dead, with the city under quasi-lockdown as drug gangs rampaged.

Still, Infantino has said he is confident the matches will go ahead in Mexico, with the country’s President Claudia Sheinbaum insisting there is “no risk” to fans.

“The situation in Mexico is one that we were tracking from the very beginning, with our team on the ground in Mexico as well as the federal government there,” Hopfinger said.

“We don’t need a situation like what happened in Mexico, though, to make sure that we’re having these safety and security conversations because we’re doing that day in and day out.” 

Iran’s World Cup spot could play out in a few different ways. The team could withdraw, citing a boycott or safety concerns. The US might block the team from entering the country.

Travellers from Iran have already been barred from entering the US under a ban by the Trump administration in 2025. But exemptions were allowed at that time for athletes and support staff travelling for the World Cup, Olympics or other major sporting events. 

Other targeted nations include Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast. Those three have all qualified for the World Cup.

Meanwhile, other nations, potentially including the losers of a play-off match where Iraq are due to play against Bolivia or Suriname, could take Iran’s place. 

The men’s national team from Iran qualified for the World Cup in 2025 and are scheduled to play their first match on June 15 against New Zealand. Belgium and Egypt are also in Iran’s group.

There are rising concerns about security funding in the US due to a shutdown to parts of the US Department of Homeland Security. Host cities are still awaiting federal public-safety grants through a US$625 million (S$795.4 million) programme overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Cities are warning they do not have much more time to wait.

While they wait for security funding, US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said that the Federal Transit Administration is investing US$100 million in public transit systems to prepare host cities for the World Cup. 

FIFA has also been criticised for a pricing system that is reportedly charging a lot more for tickets than previous editions. In response, Hopfinger said it is “in part, a virtue of being in this market” as FIFA tries to provide access “where and when it can”.

Tickets for the inter-confederation play-off tournament in Mexico went on sale on March 3 at bargain prices compared to the World Cup Finals, with fans able to secure a seat for as little as 200 Mexican pesos (S$14).

The prices are in stark contrast to the Finals where the eye-watering costs have fans crying foul. The cheapest ticket for the event is US$60, but dynamic pricing and the resale market have left many fans priced out.

The March 26-31 play-off tournament, in which six nations are set to contest for two World Cup spots, will take place in two locations that are also venues for the Finals.

Guadalajara will host the Democratic Republic of Congo, New Caledonia and Jamaica. Iraq, Bolivia and Suriname will play their matches in Monterrey.

BLOOMBERG, AFP, REUTERS