Iran, Uzbekistan agree to bring forward date of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier

The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) and the Uzbekistan Football Federation (UFF) have clinched an agreement for a 2018 FIFA World Cup round three qualifying match between national teams to be held sooner than scheduled.

The contest between Team Melli and White Wolves was originally scheduled to be staged on June 13, 2017, which falls on the eve of Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Destiny) during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Iranian Shia Muslims observe the occasion, which marks the night when the first verses of the holy Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad, by holding special rituals at mosques and other religious sites across the country.

FFIRI officials, under the aegis of Iranian Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Masoud Soltanifar, engaged in negotiations with UFF authorities over the issue, and the two sides finally reached an accord to hold the fixture a day earlier.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in Russia from 14 June to 15 July that year.

The tournament’s qualification process will decide 31 of the 32 teams, which will play in the game, with the hosts qualifying automatically.

All FIFA member associations are eligible to enter the qualifying process.

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