Arabic version: إيران تخطط لمقاطعة المباريات الأمريكية في كأس العالم القادمة

The Iranian national football team has announced plans to boycott its FIFA World Cup group matches scheduled to take place in the United States. Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, confirmed that while the team will not withdraw from the tournament, they have security concerns regarding playing in the US. According to Al Jazeera, negotiations are underway with FIFA to potentially relocate Iran’s matches to Mexico.

Iran was among the first nations to qualify for the World Cup, which is set to run from June 11 to July 19, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada. Team Melli’s group matches are currently scheduled to occur in the US, but Taj’s statements indicate a strong desire to avoid playing there due to ongoing conflicts between Iran and the United States.

The Iranian team is currently engaged in preparations, including a training camp in Turkiye, where they will also participate in friendly matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica. Taj emphasized the team’s commitment to the World Cup despite the boycott of matches in the US.

The situation has drawn international attention, particularly regarding player safety. FIFA has stated it is in communication with the Iranian football authorities but is keen on maintaining the announced match schedule. Concerns over safety have been echoed by various stakeholders, including Beau Busch from the players’ union FIFPRO, who urged FIFA to ensure the protection of all participants during the tournament.