VANCOUVER, British Columbia — FIFA President Gianni Infantino opened his address at the FIFA Congress by affirming that Iran will participate in the World Cup and that the team will play in the United States despite the conflict between the two nations.

In an indication of how fraught the situation is with Iran’s participation in the tournament, representatives from the Iranian soccer federation were denied entry into Canada this week. Infantino also addressed ticket prices while Canadian officials basked in their role as hosts of the World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico.

The World Cup starts on June 11 and the final is scheduled for July 19.

The Associated Press