Iran-FIFA Hold 'Positive' Istanbul Crisis Talks — Grafstrom Says No Visa Guarantees Confirmed; Zurich Summit 3 Days Away

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom met Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj in Istanbul on May 17 — a surprise pre-Zurich meeting conducted while Iran's squad was simultaneously assembling in Antalya, Turkey for a training camp. Both sides described the talks as 'excellent and constructive.' Taj said FIFA 'listened to Iran's 10 raised points and offered solutions for each of them.' Grafstrom said FIFA was 'looking very much forward to welcoming them to the World Cup.' However, Grafstrom declined to confirm explicit US visa guarantees — the central unresolved issue — when specifically questioned. Not one Iranian player or coaching staff member had received a US visa as of May 17. The formal FIFA-Infantino-Taj Zurich summit is May 20; Iran's June 1 squad deadline is 15 days away. Group G: SoFi LA (June 15 vs New Zealand; June 21 vs Belgium), Lumen Seattle (June 26 vs Egypt). 25 days to the June 11 opener at Estadio Azteca.