Cryptocurrency punters are largely convinced that Iran will participate in the FIFA World Cup, despite elevated geopolitical tensions and complications with U.S. visas.
Will Iran Play In The US?
Polygon (CRYPTO: POL)-based Polymarket assigned 94% odds that the Iranian team will play in at least one official game at the world’s biggest soccer event, which kicks off this week.
The World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across cities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Iran is scheduled to play two Group stage games in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, with the first game against New Zealand on June 15.
As of this writing, Iran’s matches remain listed on FIFA’s website.
Fresh Hostilities Threaten Participation
Iran’s national soccer team arrived in Mexico on Sunday and shared a friendly “hi Mexico” post on Instagram. Iran had scrapped plans to hold its pre-tournament training camp in Arizona amid uncertainty surrounding U.S. visa approvals.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said earlier in March that President Donald Trump has assured him the Iranian team is “welcome to compete” in the tournament. However, Trump later said in a Truth Social post that their attendance was ill-advised given risks to their “life and safety.”
Notably, betting odds for Iran’s involvement on Polymarket jumped to 99% at one point on Sunday, only to fall sharply after Iran and Israel fired missiles at each other, triggering new concerns.
Photo Courtesy: alphaspirit.it on Shutterstock.com
Recent Comments