Iran make USA World Cup resolution after Donald Trump warning with Mexico request
Iran’s football federation want their World Cup matches moved to Mexico after refusing to travel to America. Federation president Mehdi Taj says they are negotiating with FIFA over safety concerns.
Donald Trump has made his position clear on Iran playing at the World Cup(Image: Alex Wong, Getty Images)
Iran are seeking to relocate their World Cup fixtures from the United States to Mexico after opening discussions with FIFA.
US president Donald Trump cast doubt over the team’s safety last week. In a Truth Social post, he declared: “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.”
The president of their football federation, Mehdi Taj, referenced those remarks and confirmed they will not travel to America. He cites the national team’s security as the reason for their relocation request. A statement published on the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account quotes Taj.
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It states: “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America.
“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.” Iran are not due to play any fixtures outside the United States.
All three of the nation’s group stage encounters against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand are to take place in either California or Seattle. The schedule also has Group G’s winners remaining in Seattle to contest their round-of-32 clash.
Meanwhile, the runners-up face a journey to Texas. Qualifying as one of the eight best third-place finishers would see them compete in either New Jersey or Vancouver, Canada.
Only the latter route would mean competing outside the US again, with a round-of-16 tie in Vancouver. From the quarter-finals onwards, all fixtures are due to take place in America.
Iran’s football federation has already responded to Trump’s remarks in a statement addressing speculation about their exclusion from this summer’s tournament, despite qualifying. They said: “The World Cup is a historic and international event, and its custodian is FIFA, not any country.
“Some so-called celebrities want Iran’s team excluded from the World Cup. But if any country should be excluded, it is a host country that cannot ensure the safety of the teams taking part.”
Trump refuted those claims in another post on Truth Social, saying: “It will be the Greatest and Safest Sporting Event in American History. All Players, Officials, and Fans will be treated like the “STARS” that they are!”
Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John also discussed Iran on Monday. He said: “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.”
