Iran’s football authorities have entered negotiations with FIFA seeking to have their World Cup fixtures relocated to Mexico rather than the United States, according to the Iranian embassy in Mexico City.
The move follows President Donald Trump’s public warning last week that the Iranian squad should avoid the tournament for safety reasons.
“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” said Mehdi Taj, President of the Iranian Football Federation.
“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”
FIFA reportedly remains resistant to altering the schedule with fewer than 100 days until kick-off.
Tensions surrounding Iran’s participation have escalated dramatically since hostilities erupted between Tehran and the US-Israel alliance.
Last Thursday, Trump addressed the matter directly on Truth Social, writing: “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
Iran’s football authorities have entered negotiations with FIFA seeking to have their World Cup fixtures relocated to Mexico rather than the United States, according to the Iranian embassy in Mexico City
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He added: “Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
When Politico had questioned him about Iranian participation the previous week, Trump responded simply: “I really don’t care.”
His social media statement came just one day after Taj appeared to confirm a boycott following US and Israeli military strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader, triggering retaliatory attacks.
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Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamal declared that participation had become impossible under current circumstances.
“Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup,” Donyamal stated in a television interview broadcast on Wednesday.
The minister outlined the scale of the conflict, noting that two wars had been imposed on Iran within approximately eight or nine months, resulting in several thousand Iranian casualties.
“In view of the malicious measures taken against Iran, two wars were forced upon us within eight or nine months, and several thousand of our people were killed,” he said.
“Therefore, we definitely have no possibility of participating in this way.”
Donald Trump warned Iran to stay away from the World Cup last week
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GETTYIran’s group stage fixtures are currently scheduled for the American West Coast in June, with matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.
The opening two games are set for SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, whilst the third fixture is planned for Seattle.
Although the tournament is jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States, the overwhelming majority of matches will take place on American soil, meaning any Iranian progression to the knockout rounds would almost certainly require playing in the US.
Should Iran formally withdraw, it would mark the first such departure in the modern era of the competition.
The Asian Football Confederation confirmed on Monday it had received no withdrawal notification, with General Secretary Windsor John stating the federation had indicated it still intends to compete.
