Iran’s football federation is “negotiating” with Fifa to relocate the country’s first-round matches at the World Cup to Mexico from the United States, citing the conflict in the Middle East, Iran’s embassy in Mexico said.
Iran’s participation at this summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been thrown into doubt since the war began late last month.
“When [US President Donald] Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj said in remarks posted on the embassy’s X account.
“We are currently negotiating with Fifa to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”
Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle.
The team’s base camp for the tournament is currently slated to be located in Tucson, Arizona.
Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, denounced “the US government’s lack of cooperation regarding visa issuance and the provision of logistical support” for the Iranian delegation ahead of the World Cup.
He had “suggested to Fifa that Iran’s matches be moved from the United States to Mexico.”
Trump triggered an uproar last week after stating that while Iran’s team would be “welcome” in the United States, they should not travel to the tournament “for their own life and safety.”
His comments came after Fifa president Gianni Infantino had given assurances that Trump had promised him that the Iranian team would be welcome.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
