Overview
- Iranian federation chief Mehdi Taj, via the embassy in Mexico, said negotiations with FIFA are underway to stage Iran’s group matches in Mexico and that the team will not travel to the U.S. given the president’s safety warning.
- President Donald Trump said Iran is welcome at the World Cup but suggested playing in the United States would not be appropriate “for their own life and safety.”
- FIFA said it is in regular contact with Iran and expects all teams to compete as per the previously announced match schedule, signaling no venue changes at this time.
- The Asian Football Confederation said it has received no withdrawal notice and that Iran’s federation has indicated it intends to play.
- Iran is slated to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle, and relocating those fixtures would be a major logistical challenge that would not preclude potential U.S. games later; an outright withdrawal would force FIFA to find a replacement team.