Overview
- Issuing a firm message after a FIFA Council meeting, Gianni Infantino said the tournament will proceed on the published schedule and Iran’s fixtures will not be moved to Mexico.
- Infantino added that FIFA cannot resolve geopolitical conflicts and framed the World Cup as a vehicle to build bridges and promote peace.
- Iran’s federation has sought a venue switch, with its embassy in Mexico stating the team will not travel to the United States and Mehdi Taj declaring, “We boycott the USA, but not the World Cup.”
- Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum publicly said she would approve hosting Iran’s games if asked, though FIFA has not authorized any change.
- Under the current plan Iran is slated to play group matches in Los Angeles and Seattle with a team base in Tucson, and media note unanswered questions about logistics if the team advances beyond the group stage.