Iran Mulling Over US Tour

According to Mehdi Taj, the deputy in chief of Iran Football Federation, an official invitation was received by the Iranian Federation on Saturday, and the matter has been passed on to National Team’s Committee, and the head coach of Iran, Ali Daei, to make a decision. A final approval is needed by Iran’s Physical Education Organisation if the tour is to get a go ahead.

"IF touring the US and holding friendly matches are approved by the National Teams Committee and Ali Daei, and the International Council of Physical Training Organisation accordingly, the tour will take place from June 23 to July 3 this year” said Mehdi Taj.

Iran national football team will play four World Cup qualifiers in June, the last of which against Kuwait in the Azadi Stadium on June 22^nd, just a day before the date given for the US tour.

Iran and the US have played two games in the past. Iran won the first at the 1998 World Cup finals 2-1, while the two teams played to a 1-1 draw in a friendly match played in the United States in 2000.