Iran is reportedly seeking to relocate its World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico amid escalating geopolitical tensions. The Middle Eastern nation’s participation in this summer’s North American tournament has been jeopardised following recent air strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, which prompted retaliatory attacks on American bases in other Gulf states.
Donald Trump, the US president, previously stated last week that he did not believe it was “appropriate” for Iran to be at the World Cup “for their own life and safety”. Now, Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s football federation, has indicated that moving the team’s fixtures to co-host Mexico is one solution currently under consideration.
“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” said Taj in a post on the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account.
“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”
Global governing body FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
There have been growing doubts about Iran’s participation in the tournament while at war with one of the co-hosts. The global showpiece is due to kick off on June 11 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with Iran scheduled to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
Iran’s sports minister said last week it was not possible for the Iranian players to participate in the tournament after the U.S. launched airstrikes alongside Israel against Tehran, killing the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader.
An official withdrawal would be the first in the modern era and leave FIFA with the urgent task of finding a replacement.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Monday it had not received any notification that Iran will withdraw from the event.
“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 told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.
