Their participation at this summer time’s finals has been thrown into doubt for the reason that conflict started
Mexico is co-hosting the largest World Cup in historical past, together with the USA and Canada, from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Photograph: AFP
MEXICO CITY:
Iran’s soccer federation is “negotiating” with FIFA to relocate the nation’s first-round matches on the World Cup to Mexico from the USA, citing the battle within the Center East, Iran’s soccer federation stated.
Iran’s participation at this summer time’s finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico has been thrown into doubt for the reason that conflict started late final month.
“When (US President Donald) Trump has explicitly said that he can’t make sure the safety of the Iranian nationwide staff, we will definitely not journey to America,” Iranian soccer chief Mehdi Taj stated on Monday in remarks posted on the X account of Iran’s embassy in Mexico.
“We’re at the moment negotiating with FIFA to carry Iran’s matches within the World Cup in Mexico.”
Whereas world soccer’s governing physique confirmed to AFP it has been involved with the Iranian FA, FIFA didn’t recommend such a rescheduling was on the playing cards.
“FIFA is in common contact with all collaborating member associations, together with IR Iran, to debate planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” the spokesperson advised AFP.
“FIFA is wanting ahead to all collaborating groups competing as per the match schedule introduced on 6 December 2025.”
Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, adopted by Egypt in Seattle.
The staff’s base camp for the match is at the moment slated to be situated in Tucson, Arizona.
Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, on Monday denounced “the US authorities’s lack of cooperation concerning visa issuance and the availability of logistical assist” for the Iranian delegation forward of the World Cup, in an announcement printed on the embassy’s web site.
He added he had additionally “instructed to FIFA that Iran’s matches be moved from the USA to Mexico.”
Trump triggered uproar final week after stating that whereas Iran’s soccer staff can be “welcome” in the USA, they need to not journey to the match “for their very own life and security”.
Trump’s feedback got here after FIFA president Gianni Infantino had given assurances the US chief had promised him the Iranian staff can be welcome.
Iran hit again at Trump’s feedback saying “nobody can exclude Iran’s nationwide staff from the World Cup”.
Iran have been the second Asian staff after Japan to qualify for the World Cup, securing their place virtually a 12 months in the past as they topped their qualifying group.
However Iran’s place on the match was thrown into query after the USA and Israel launched an enormous offensive towards the Islamic Republic, which responded with waves of missiles and drones concentrating on Israeli territory and American targets throughout the Center East.
Ought to Iran not participate within the World Cup, it isn’t but clear which nation would possibly exchange them.
‘Put together for a World Cup’
New Zealand are persevering with to arrange for a World Cup opener towards Iran however can be prepared to regulate if the Center East nation doesn’t participate, coach Darren Bazeley stated.
Iran’s first match is towards New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles. The Iranians are additionally grouped with Belgium and Egypt on the match, which is being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Iran’s sports activities minister stated final week it was unattainable for the staff to take part after the U.S. launched airstrikes alongside Israel towards Tehran and killed Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated Iran have been welcome to take part however that he believed it was not acceptable that they be there “for their very own life and security”.
“Proper now we’re nonetheless persevering with as if we’re taking part in Iran,” Bazeley advised New Zealand media.
“They’re the staff that certified and we bought drawn towards them. That is nonetheless the fixture and till we get advised in any other case, we’ll proceed with that preparation.
“Clearly, if issues change, then we’ll cope with that, however that will be (folks at) a better stage than myself concerned in these discussions.”
New Zealand Soccer boss Andrew Pragnell advised native media they have been taking safety round their matches very critically however had not heard any updates from FIFA about heightened threats. AFP/Reuters
