Iran Rejects US, Keeps World Cup Dream

Iran’s national football team has reaffirmed its commitment to competing in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, while maintaining a firm stance against travelling to the United States for its scheduled fixtures. The president of the Iran Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, reiterated this position, declaring unequivocally that Iran would “boycott America, but not the World Cup”.

The tournament, set to run from 11 June to 19 July, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Iran was among the early qualifiers from Asia, securing its place with notable efficiency. However, escalating political tensions between Tehran and Washington since late February have cast uncertainty over logistical arrangements, particularly regarding match venues.

Under the current schedule, all three of Iran’s group-stage matches are slated to be played on American soil—two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. Their opponents include New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. In response, Iranian officials have initiated discussions with FIFA to relocate these fixtures to Mexico, citing concerns over security and political sensitivities.

A summary of Iran’s scheduled group-stage matches is presented below:

Despite the diplomatic strain, Iran’s preparations for the tournament remain on track. The team is currently holding a training camp in Antalya, Turkey, where it is also participating in a four-nation invitational tournament. Iran is scheduled to face Nigeria on 27 March and Costa Rica four days later. Originally planned to be held in Jordan, the competition was relocated to Turkey due to instability in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, a parallel controversy has emerged involving Iran’s women’s national team. During their participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, concerns over player safety led the host nation to offer asylum to several Iranian players. Although seven initially expressed interest, only two ultimately remained in Australia, with the others returning home after a prolonged journey. Mehdi Taj personally received the returning players at the airport, signalling official support.

Further fuelling the debate, former United States President Donald Trump made conflicting remarks. While encouraging Australia to offer asylum to Iranian athletes, he simultaneously suggested that Iranian players might face risks to their “life and safety” if they travelled to the United States for the World Cup. He later clarified that no threat would originate from the US government. Nevertheless, Taj has used these statements to strengthen his argument for relocating Iran’s matches.

Mexico has signalled its readiness to accommodate Iran’s fixtures if required. President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that her country is prepared to host the matches in June. However, the final decision rests with FIFA. The governing body has stated that it remains in ongoing communication with the Iranian federation but expects all teams to adhere to the official schedule announced on 6 December 2025.

The international players’ union, FIFPRO, has also weighed in on the matter. Its Asia-Oceania president, Beau Busch, emphasised that ensuring the safety and human rights of all participants is a fundamental responsibility of FIFA. As geopolitical tensions intersect with global sport, the situation presents a complex challenge for organisers, with potential implications for scheduling, diplomacy, and the integrity of the tournament itself.