FIFA UPBEAT AMID MID-EAST CHAOS

Chief Infantino says World Cup 'will have the world coming together' in dire times

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from left: Maple, Zayu and Clutch - the official macots of the 2026 FIFA World Cup - posing during a lighting ceremony at the Empire State Building in New York City on March 3 starting the 100-day countdown to the tournament.

(PHOTO: REUTERS)

Despite the unprecedented situation of a host country being at war with a World Cup qualifier, football's world governing body FIFA is still optimistic about its upcoming tournament which is 100 days away from kicking off.

The US joined Israel last weekend in starting a war with Iran, just a few months before the Iranian national team are scheduled to play their first World Cup match in mid-June in Los Angeles. No decision has been made on Iran's participation, with a FIFA official saying on Feb 28 that the organiser is monitoring the situation.

The head of the Iranian football federation, Mehdi Taj, warned within hours of the start of the war that his nation could refuse to play at the tournament, saying "we cannot look forward to the World Cup with hope".

US President Donald Trump said on March 3 that he did not care whether Iran will take part in the quadrennial showpiece.