Iran’s football federation is exploring the possibility of relocating its World Cup group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico due to rising tensions in the Middle East, the Iranian embassy in Mexico confirmed on Monday.
The country’s participation in the tournament, which spans the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has been uncertain since the conflict 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,” said Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj 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 slated to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle, with its tournament base camp planned for Tucson, Arizona.
Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, condemned “the US government’s lack of cooperation regarding visa issuance and the provision of logistical support” for the Iranian delegation. He added that he had proposed to FIFA that Iran’s matches be moved to Mexico.
FIFA has yet to comment on the situation.
The dispute follows Trump’s recent statement that Iran’s team would be “welcome” in the United States but warned they should not travel for “their own life and safety,” despite assurances from FIFA president Gianni Infantino that the team’s presence would be safe.
Iran has strongly rejected any notion of being barred from the tournament, declaring that “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup.”
