March 19 (Reuters) – Iranian Football Association President Mehdi Taji said on Wednesday that the Iranian national team is continuing to prepare for the World Cup finals and has no intention of withdrawing from the World Cup even if it does not go to the United States.
Iran was one of the first countries to advance to the finals, but their qualification has been in doubt since the conflict between the Islamic Republic and the United States began in late February.
advertise
The competition runs from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Melli were scheduled to play all three first-round group games in the United States, but Taj Mahal said on Monday that the Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) was in talks with FIFA to move them to Mexico.
Iran will face Nigeria on March 27 and Costa Rica four days later in Antalya as part of a four-nation invitational tournament that had to be moved from Jordan due to the conflict in the Middle East.
“The national team is holding a training camp in Türkiye and we will also play two friendly matches there,” Fars news agency quoted FFIRI president Taj as saying on Wednesday.
advertise
“We will boycott the United States, but we will not boycott the World Cup.”
The Taj Mahal spoke on Wednesday to welcome women’s national team players back to Iran from the Turkish border crossing after a long journey from Australia.
The host country has granted asylum to all delegations traveling to Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup due to concerns about Iran’s security. Although seven accepted, only two ultimately stayed.
US President Donald Trump has urged Australia to provide asylum to the players, later saying that while the Iranian men were welcome to play football in the US, it might not be appropriate for their “lives and safety”.
advertise
Trump later stressed that any threats to players would not come from the United States, but Taj Mahal, a former member of Iran’s hardline Revolutionary Guards, called for a change of venue, citing the president’s statement.
Mexico would be willing to host Iran’s World Cup matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in June, President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday, but the final decision on any venue changes would rest with FIFA.
World football’s governing body said it was in contact with FFIRI but “looks forward to all participating teams playing in accordance with the schedule announced on December 6, 2025”.
(Reporting by Nick Mulverney; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
