New Headline: "Tehran Embattled as U.S. Soccer Plans Training Camp
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Iran’s Embassy in Mexico on Tuesday said the country is negotiating with FIFA to move Iran’s World Cup matches from the U. S. to Mexico after President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending the tournament , citing safety concerns.
It was unclear whether such talks are happening with FIFA, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Iranian officials have previously said it is up to FIFA and the U. S.
to keep the team safe during the World Cup. The Embassy posted a statement attributed to Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj saying Iran wants to move its group stage matches to Mexico to ensure the safety of players and officials. “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” the statement said.
“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico. ” The World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran is scheduled to play against New Zealand on June 16 and Belgium on June 21 in Inglewood, California, before finishing group play in Seattle against Egypt on June 26 .
Moving the games would be unprecedented less than three months before the start of the World Cup. Trump said last week that the Iran team was welcome at the World Cup despite the ongoing war in the Middle East but “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety. ” Iran has sent mixed signals about its participation in the tournament after the U.