Iran Football Federation Chief Vows to "Boycott USA" While Staying in 2026 World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is facing a major diplomatic crisis after Mehdi Taj, the President of the Iranian Football Federation, declared that Iran will "boycott the United States" but remain part of the tournament.
The statement follows escalating tensions in the Middle East and concerns over the safety of the Iranian national team.
In a video released via the Fars News Agency, Taj confirmed that while the team intends to compete, they are in active talks with FIFA to relocate their scheduled group matches away from U.S. soil.
Iran is currently slated to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by a clash with Egypt in Seattle.
Recommended for You
Loading stories...
The situation was intensified by comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently warned that the Iranian team should stay away "for their own life and safety."
In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Tuesday that Mexico is prepared to step in as a neutral host for Iran's opening rounds.
“Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world, therefore we will wait to see what FIFA decides,” Sheinbaum told reporters during a press conference.
While FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously insisted that the U.S. had provided safety assurances, the latest rhetoric from both Washington and Tehran has cast a shadow over the tri-nation tournament hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
#WorldCup2026 #IranFootball #DonaldTrump #FIFA #Mexico #InternationalPolitics #SportsNews #TeamMelli
Latest News
Loading...
Post a Comment