But Iran’s participation in the tournament was thrown into limbo when the United States and Israel lauched strikes on the country in late February. <\/p>\n
US President Donald Trump has said Iran is welcome to participate in the tournament, but suggested it may not be appropriate<\/a> for them to play in the country “for their own life and safety”. <\/p>\n Iran said it had negotiated with FIFA<\/a> to move its games from the US to Mexico. Last week, however, FIFA said the four Group G nations would be “competing as per the match schedule”.<\/p>\n Unveiling New Zealand’s kit for the tournament on Breakfast this morning, Francis de Vries said the situation around Iran was “strange”, but wasn’t his main focus. <\/p>\n \u201cNever been in it before, and luckily we have kind of the business end of our club season right now, so for us it\u2019s focus every week on the game we play for our clubs, and then we\u2019ll take that as it comes.\u201d <\/p>\n After the game against Iran in Los Angeles, New Zealand was scheduled to face Egypt on June 22, and Belgium on July 27.<\/p>\n Bill Tuiloma (Source: 1News)<\/p>\n ‘It\u2019s a great feeling to play in front of the home fans’<\/p>\n The All Whites’ last home camp before heading to North America<\/a> is this weekend, as part of the New Zealand FIFA Series<\/a> at Eden Park in Auckland. <\/p>\n On Friday, the All Whites take on Finland, followed by a match against Chile on Monday, March 30. <\/p>\n Also joining Breakfast, centre-back Bill Tuiloma said it was “very important” to play in front of home fans before jetting off to America. <\/p>\n “We call them our top player on the field. <\/p>\n \u201cFor us, especially, players around the world, coming back home, it\u2019s a great feeling to play in front of the home fans.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a great feeling, and we want everyone to be at that stadium and be behind us and perform for them.”<\/p>\n De Vries said it was important to boost the team’s coheasion. <\/p>\n “Continuing to work on our style of play and connect also off the field so that when the World Cup comes, all of us are in the best place possible to go and make New Zealand proud.\u201d <\/p>\n![\"Bill](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/bill-tuiloma-IYKEMKGO35A4XCHV7ICWQ2HPRE.jpg\")
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