Reuters
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Iran’s soccer federation is in discussions with FIFA about transferring their World Cup matches to Mexico from the United States as a result of considerations in regards to the security of their gamers, Iranian soccer president Mehdi Taj stated on Monday.
Iran’s participation within the international soccer showpiece was thrown into doubt after co-hosts the United States launched joint air strikes on the nation together with Israel.
US President Donald Trump stated final week that Iran have been welcome to take part however urged it won’t be acceptable for them to play within the US “for their own life and safety.”
“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” stated Taj in a publish on the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account.
“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”
World soccer’s governing physique didn’t verify any specifics.
“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including IR Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025,” a FIFA spokesperson advised Reuters.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated throughout a day by day press convention that her nation would have no problem hosting Iran’s World Cup matches, if FIFA agrees to it.
Iran secured a visit to a fourth successive World Cup by topping their group within the third spherical of Asian qualifying final yr.
The match is because of kick off on June 11 within the US, Canada and Mexico, with Iran scheduled to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand are Iran’s opponents in Group G.
The organizing committees for matches in Los Angeles and Seattle didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark exterior regular US enterprise hours.
The prospect of shifting Iran’s fixtures to Mexico would mark a major logistical swap for the match, although relocating matches for safety or geopolitical causes will not be unprecedented.
In September final yr, Scotland secured a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Belarus at Zalaegerszeg close to the Austrian and Slovenian borders, after a ruling by UEFA over the function of Belarus as a staging floor for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In different sports activities, soured political relations between India and Pakistan means the nuclear-armed neighbors solely face one another at impartial venues in multi-team cricket tournaments.
India refused to journey to Pakistan for final yr’s Champions Trophy and have been allowed to play all their matches in Dubai as an alternative.
Should FIFA reject a swap of venue to Mexico it appears unlikely that Iran would journey to the US and participate within the match whereas at struggle with one of many co-hosts.
Iran’s sports activities minister stated final week it was not doable for the Iranian gamers to take part after the US launched airstrikes alongside Israel towards Tehran, killing the Islamic Republic’s supreme chief.
An official withdrawal could be the primary within the trendy period and depart FIFA with the pressing activity of discovering a substitute.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) stated on Monday that it had not obtained any notification that Iran will withdraw from the occasion.
“At the end of the day, it’s the federation who should decide if they’re playing, and as of today, the federation has told us that they are going to the World Cup,” AFC General Secretary Windsor John advised reporters in Kuala Lumpur.