Iran demands guarantees for World Cup participation

"Iran would compete at the tournament 'without any retreat from our beliefs, culture and convictions', while insisting the hosts 'must take our concerns into account'."

— Mehdi Taj , Other

"Iranian footballers would be welcome at the tournament, while warning that individuals with links to the IRGC could still face restrictions on entering the United States."

— Marco Rubio , Politician

"Politically charged atmospheres could surround some matches involving Iran at the World Cup."

— Amir Ghalenoei , Athlete

"We need a guarantee there, for our trip, that they have no right to insult the symbols of our system -- especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps."

— Mehdi Taj , Other

"Our national football team is not ‘travelling’ to the United States, rather we are going there to take part in the FIFA World Cup."

— Esmail Baghaei , Politician

"the Ministry of Youth and Sports ensured all necessary arrangements for the team’s effective participation in the tournament."

— Fatemeh Mohajerani , Activist

"But Iran has to come, they represent their people, they have qualified, the players want to play."

— Gianni Infantino , Executive

"Sports should be outside of politics."

— Gianni Infantino , Executive

"while Iran’s team would be welcome at the tournament, he questioned whether it would be appropriate for them to attend, citing concerns over their 'life and safety'."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"the march had taken place peacefully for decades, but he also openly praised Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei and said he would 'happily' hold his picture."

— Faisal Bodi , Activist