Iran seeks FIFA approval to move World Cup matches to Mexico
Iran’s football federation is “negotiating” with FIFA to relocate the country’s first-round matches at the World Cup from the United States to Mexico, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Iranian embassy in Mexico announced Monday.
Iran’s participation in this summer’s tournament, which spans the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has been uncertain since the war erupted 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 comments shared on the embassy’s X account.
“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”
Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle, with its tournament base camp currently planned for Tucson, Arizona.
Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, criticised “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, according to a statement on the embassy’s website. He added that he had “suggested to FIFA that Iran’s matches be moved from the United States to Mexico.”
FIFA has not immediately responded to AFP’s request for comment.
Trump sparked controversy last week after saying that while Iran’s football team would be “welcome” in the United States, they should avoid travelling to the tournament “for their own life and safety.”
Iran responded, asserting that “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup,” amid escalating tensions after the United States and Israel launched extensive offensives against the Islamic Republic, which retaliated with missiles and drone strikes across the region.