In a recent interview with BBC News, renowned football coach Afshin Ghotbi shared his thoughts on the possibility of Iranian players participating in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 despite current geopolitical tensions.
Ghotbi, who has coached both the Iran national football team and the United States men’s national soccer team, emphasized the deep connection between football and the Iranian people.
“Football has been my life,” he said. “For more than 90 million Iranians, football is almost like a religion. It is a passion they grow up with, and the national team has always been one of the greatest sources of joy for the people of Iran.”
With the World Cup set to take place across North America, Ghotbi noted that the tournament could have been a powerful moment for Iranians around the world to unite and celebrate the sport they love. Millions of Iranians live abroad, particularly in the United States, making the tournament a unique opportunity for players and fans to connect.
However, ongoing political tensions have raised questions about Iran’s participation in the competition. In response, Ghotbi proposed a creative solution that would allow players to fulfill their lifelong dream while keeping sport above political conflict.
“Imagine if FIFA created a neutral structure that would allow Iranian players, many of whom play professionally abroad, to participate in the World Cup,” he suggested. “For many players, the World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime dream.”
He added that such an approach could demonstrate the unifying power of football during challenging times.
“Perhaps this is a moment for football to show that sport can rise above politics and give athletes the chance to compete on the world’s biggest stage.”
Ghotbi, who has worked across multiple countries during his coaching career, believes that football has a unique ability to bring people together beyond borders, cultures, and political differences.
“For generations, the World Cup has been a celebration of humanity through sport,” Afshin Ghotbi said. “Moments like this remind
Source: BBC Radio
https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/w172zssmfxcf5wj
