Iran has announced that it will send its national football team to the United States for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, it was reported on Wednesday.
Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said the national team’s preparations for the tournament are continuing.
She said Iran hoped that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure the tournament was safe and secure for teams, officials and supporters.
The spokeswoman added that Iran’s first scheduled match would take place in Los Angeles.
She further said the Iranian delegation would take part in the World Cup under the name “Minab 168”.
It is pertinent to mention here that the international media reproted two days ago that FIFA said it is in discussions with national football associations to increase prize money for all 48 teams participating in the World Cup.
In response to requests by European teams to increase prize money and to assist with costs associated with their participation this summer in the World Cup, the world governing body is set to fulfil those wishes, it said.
FIFA also announced in December a record World Cup prize fund of $727m, with the winning team taking home $50m and each team receiving at least $10.5m. Since that December announcement, FIFA and national associations have engaged in talks and aim to resolve the issue.
