FIFA has reportedly rejected Mexico’s request as tensions rise between the US and Iran ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
President Donald Trump recently sent a worrying message to the Iranian soccer team on social media (Image: YouTube/The Independent)
FIFA rejected Mexico’s offer to host Iran’s World Cup match, shortly after US President Donald Trump said the Middle Eastern country should not compete. The escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran shows no signs of slowing down.
Shortly after Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike, the country’s sports minister hinted that he would not compete in this summer’s tournaments in the United States, Mexico and Canada. However, no official decision has been made regarding Middle Eastern countries’ participation in the World Cup, with FIFA insisting that two of the group games are still expected to be played in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
However, amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States, Mexico has reportedly offered to play as the host nation for Iran’s match. The request is understood to have been rejected by FIFA.
read more: Major stadiums refuse to host World Cup matches despite spending £100mread more: Iran requests drastic changes to Mexico World Cup following US decision during Middle East war
The Iranian Football Association recently claimed it was in talks to move the match to the country. The proposal follows President Trump’s recent post on Truth Social, in which he wrote, “While the Iranian national soccer team is welcome to participate in the World Cup, I truly do not believe it is appropriate for them to be there when considering their own lives and safety. Thank you for your consideration in this matter! President Donald J. Trump.”
It is unclear whether President Trump was referring to the safety of Iranian athletes in Iran or the safety of Iranian athletes in the United States. Iranian Football Association President Mehdi Taj believes the US president has said he cannot guarantee the safety of the players.
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“Now that President Trump has made it clear that he cannot guarantee the safety of the Iranian national team, we are definitely not going to America. We are negotiating with FIFA to host Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico,” he wrote.
After their request to play in Mexico was rejected, FIFA issued further comments, insisting that Iran would be welcome to play in the United States. “FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including IR Iran, to discuss plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA looks forward to seeing all participating teams compete according to the announced match schedule.”
It is unclear whether Iran will participate in this summer’s tournament (Image: 2024 VCG)
Iran will play New Zealand on June 15th and Belgium on June 21st, with both games taking place in Los Angeles. The final match is scheduled for June 26th in Seattle against Egypt.
FIFA has the power to decide which country should replace Iran if it withdraws from the competition. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates are the next highest ranked countries in the Asian Football Confederation but have yet to qualify for the tournament.
Asian Football Confederation President Windsor John recently claimed that Iran is still expected to travel to the United States for the tournament. “It’s a very emotional moment,” he said when asked about the incident in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“Everyone is saying different things. At the end of the day, it’s the federation that decides whether they play or not, and as of today the federation has told us they’re going to the World Cup.”
“They’re our guys and we want them to play. You know, they’re eligible…so we hope they can work through whatever it is and be able to play.”
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