Iran’s government says it will only decide whether the national football team will take part in the World Cup once FIFA responds to their request to move their matches.
Iran’s football federation has asked FIFA to switch the team’s three group-stage games from the United States to Mexico. They cite American military involvement alongside Israel in strikes that triggered an ongoing conflict in the region. Iran’s sports ministry has also banned national and club teams from travelling to countries it considers hostile.
However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last week that Iran would play their matches as planned.
Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali told Turkish state news agency Anadolu: “Our request to move Iran’s games from the US to Mexico is still on the table, but we have not yet heard back from FIFA. If it is accepted, Iran’s participation in the World Cup will be confirmed.”
He added that while the government would keep the team ready, the final call rests with the Iranian government.
Iran are due to play all three of their Group G matches on American soil, against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and against Egypt in Seattle.
US President Donald Trump said last month that Iran’s players were welcome to compete in the US, though he initially raised concerns about their safety before later clarifying that no threat would come from the United States.
Donyamali said that under the current circumstances, the chances of Iran playing their matches in the US were “very low,” but that if proper security guarantees were given, the government would make its decision accordingly.
The World Cup is being held across the US, Mexico, and Canada from 11th June to 19th July.
