Reuters
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Iran’s soccer federation is in discussions with FIFA about transferring their World Cup matches to Mexico from the United States due to considerations in regards to the security of their gamers, Iranian soccer president Mehdi Taj stated on Monday.
Iran’s participation within the world soccer showpiece was thrown into doubt after co-hosts the United States launched joint air strikes on the nation alongside with Israel.
US President Donald Trump stated final week that Iran had been welcome to take part however urged it may not be applicable for them to play within the US “for their own life and safety.”
“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” stated Taj in a publish on the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account.
“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”
Soccer’s world governing physique FIFA didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Iran secured a visit to a fourth successive World Cup by topping their group within the third spherical of Asian qualifying final yr.
The event is due to kick off on June 11 within the US, Canada and Mexico, with Iran scheduled to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand are Iran’s opponents in Group G.
The organizing committees for matches in Los Angeles and Seattle didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark outdoors regular US enterprise hours.
The prospect of shifting Iran’s fixtures to Mexico would mark a big logistical swap for the event, although relocating matches for safety or geopolitical causes isn’t unprecedented.
In September final yr, Scotland secured a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Belarus at Zalaegerszeg close to the Austrian and Slovenian borders, after a ruling by UEFA over the function of Belarus as a staging floor for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In different sports activities, soured political relations between India and Pakistan means the nuclear-armed neighbors solely face one another at impartial venues in multi-team cricket tournaments.
India refused to journey to Pakistan for final yr’s Champions Trophy and had been allowed to play all their matches in Dubai as a substitute.
Should FIFA reject a swap of venue to Mexico it appears unlikely that Iran would journey to the US and participate within the event whereas at conflict with one of many co-hosts.
Iran’s sports activities minister stated final week it was not potential for the Iranian gamers to take part after the US launched airstrikes alongside Israel towards Tehran, killing the Islamic Republic’s supreme chief.
An official withdrawal can be the primary within the fashionable period and go away FIFA with the pressing job of discovering a substitute.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) stated on Monday that it had not acquired any notification that Iran will withdraw from the occasion.
“At the end of the day, it’s the federation who should decide if they’re playing, and as of today, the federation has told us that they are going to the World Cup,” AFC General Secretary Windsor John informed reporters in Kuala Lumpur.