Iran is scheduled to play three World Cup group stage matches against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in cities across the West Coast of the United States.
Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj says the national team will not travel to the US (Image: AFP, Getty Images)
Iran wants to move World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico. Football federation president Mehdi Taj claims that negotiations are currently underway with FIFA.
US President Donald Trump raised questions about the team’s safety last week. In a post on Truth Social, he said: “While I welcome the Iranian national soccer team to participate in the World Cup, I absolutely do not believe it is appropriate for them to participate in the World Cup considering their own lives and safety.”
In response to these comments, Taj said he will not travel to the United States. He cited the safety of the national team as the reason for the negotiations.
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A statement posted on the Iranian embassy’s X account in Mexico quotes Taj. “If President Trump makes it clear that he cannot ensure the safety of the Iranian national team, we will definitely not go to the United States,” it said.
“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to host Iran’s matches at the Mexico World Cup.” Iran has no plans to play matches outside the United States.
All three group stage games against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand are scheduled to be held in either California or Seattle. The schedule calls for the Group G winner to stay in Seattle for a Round of 32 tie.
President Donald Trump said it would be inappropriate for Iran to play in the US to protect its own security (Image: Nathan Howard, Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the runner-up team will travel to Texas. If he ranks as one of the top eight players in the top three, he will play in New Jersey or the Canadian city of Vancouver.
Only the latter route will play outside the United States again, staying in Vancouver until the round of 16. All matches from the quarterfinals onwards will be played in the United States.
The Iranian Football Federation has already responded to President Trump’s comments with a statement addressing speculation about exclusion. They said: “The World Cup is a historic and international event whose custodian is FIFA, not any country.
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“Some so-called celebrities want Iran to be excluded from the World Cup. But if there is any country that should be excluded, it is the host country that cannot ensure the safety of the participating teams.”
President Trump disputed those claims in another post on Truth Social, saying, “It will be the greatest and safest sporting event in American history. Every player, official, and fan will be treated like the ‘stars’ they are meant to be!”
Asian Football Confederation Secretary-General Windsor John also spoke about Iran on Monday. He said: “It is up to the federation to decide whether they will participate or not, and as of today the federation has said they will participate in the World Cup.”
