The Iran Football Federation has opened talks with FIFA to relocate its World Cup fixtures from the United States to Mexico, citing security concerns for its players.
Federation president Mehdi Taj said the move follows remarks by US President Donald Trump, who stated that Iran would be welcome at the tournament but suggested it might not be appropriate for them to play in the United States “for their own life and safety”.
“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Taj said in a statement shared via the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account.
“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”
FIFA has yet to issue an official response to the request.
The development adds to growing uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament, scheduled to begin on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran are currently slated to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
Earlier, Iran’s sports minister had indicated that participation could be impossible following recent US and Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, which reportedly killed the country’s supreme leader.
Any formal withdrawal would be unprecedented in the modern era and could compel FIFA to seek a replacement team. However, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it has not received any official notice of withdrawal.
“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 said.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand national football team is continuing preparations for its opening fixture against Iran, although officials say they are ready to adapt if circumstances change.
“Right now we’re still continuing as though we’re playing Iran,” head coach Darren Bazeley said.
“They’re the team that qualified and we got drawn against them. That’s still the fixture and until we get told otherwise, we’ll continue with that preparation.
“Obviously, if things change, then we’ll deal with that, but that would be (people at) a higher level than myself involved in those discussions.”
New Zealand Football chief Andrew Pragnell also said there has been no indication from FIFA of heightened threats or plans to relocate fixtures.
“I doubt that FIFA would change locations of fixtures. It’s probably not something that they would look to do,” he said.
FIFA has yet to comment publicly on the possibility of relocating Iran’s matches, which remain scheduled to be played in the United States.
