By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Iran FA has revealed talks with FIFA to move the team’s 2026 World Cup group games from the United States to Mexico due to ongoing conflict with US.
This comes after US president Donald Trump said last week that he did not believe it was appropriate for Iran to play games in America “for their own life and safety”.
Iran are scheduled to play all three of its group matches at the World Cup in the US, kicking off against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
But Fifa in a statement, said it is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced” following the World Cup draw in December.
“Fifa is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including IR Iran, to discuss planning for the World Cup 2026,” read the statement.
Fifa’s World Cup regulations state: “Fifa has the right to cancel, reschedule or relocate one or more matches (or the entire FIFA World Cup 26) for any reason at its sole discretion, including as a result of force majeure or due to health, safety concerns.”
Iran are scheduled to play two World Cup games in Los Angeles and another in Seattle. They will face New Zealand and Belgium in LA on June 15 and June 21, followed by the match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.