Despite the war in the Middle East, FIFA expects Iran's men's national team to be allowed into the United States for this summer's World Cup tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he met with Donald Trump on Tuesday and, among other things, talked about the situation in Iran.
"President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to participate," he wrote on Instagram.
Last week, Trump said he "really doesn't care" whether Iran can play in the World Cup or not.
However, in a television interview reported by the German news agency DPA and reproduced by the Norwegian news agency NTB, Ahmad Donyamali ruled out Iranian participation in the World Cup.
In the interview, Donyamali made harsh attacks on the United States.
"After the corrupt government killed our leader (Ali Khamenei), there is no possibility for us to participate in the World Cup," says the sports minister.
In light of the malicious actions taken against Iran, with two wars in eight or nine months and thousands of our citizens killed, we definitely have no opportunity to participate.
If Iran participates in the World Cup, its opening two matches will be played in Inglewood, California, on June 15 and 21, respectively, before the group stage concludes in Seattle on June 26.
