Iran’s football authorities are in urgent talks with FIFA to relocate their upcoming World Cup fixtures away from the United States, citing safety concerns amid escalating political tensions.
According to officials, the Iranian Football Federation has formally requested that their matches be staged in Mexico instead of the U.S., where they are currently scheduled to play. The move comes after remarks from Donald Trump, who questioned whether it would be safe for Iran’s national team to participate in the tournament on American soil.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, made it clear that the team would not travel under the current circumstances. He emphasized that if security cannot be guaranteed, Iran will refuse to play in the United States. Negotiations with FIFA are ongoing, with Iran proposing Mexico as an alternative host for their matches.
Despite these discussions, a last-minute venue change appears unlikely. With less than 100 days before the tournament begins, FIFA typically avoids altering match locations due to logistical and organizational challenges.
The situation has been further complicated by rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. In a recent statement, Trump said Iran’s team is technically welcome but suggested participation might not be wise given safety risks.
The uncertainty has also sparked strong reactions within Iran. Reports indicate that government officials are considering a full withdrawal from the tournament. Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamal, stated publicly that current conditions make participation impossible, pointing to recent conflicts and loss of life as key reasons.
Iran is currently scheduled to face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in the group stage, with matches set to take place in Los Angeles and Seattle. Two of those games are planned for SoFi Stadium in California, while the third is slated for Washington state.
As tensions remain high, FIFA faces increasing pressure to respond, while fans around the world wait to see whether Iran will compete—or withdraw entirely—from one of football’s biggest events.
Source: Africa Publicity
