Iran makes World Cup progress in talks with Infantino as war darkens June trip to U.S.

The Iranian soccer federation's upbeat readout of the meeting in Turkey made no mention of moving World Cup games to Mexico — a subject Infantino has repeatedly shut down for the past two weeks. In the first half of March, government officials variously suggested the team could not play at the World Cup, could not travel to the U.S., and FIFA should move Iran's games to co-host Mexico. FIFA has been the most consistent commentator, and Infantino the only top soccer official openly talking about the delicate diplomacy: That Iran will come to the U.S., that the schedule will not change, and no formal negotiations about Mexico had or would take place.