The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) has reaffirmed its commitment to competing in the upcoming World Cup finals, despite the escalating geopolitical conflict between the Islamic Republic and the United States. FFIRI President Mehdi Taj clarified on Wednesday that while the national team, known as Team Melli, has no intention of withdrawing from the tournament, they are steadfast in their refusal to travel to U.S. soil. This announcement comes as the team continues its intensive preparations for the global event, which is scheduled to take place across North America from 11 June to 19 July.
Iran was among the first nations to secure qualification for the finals; however, their participation has been shrouded in uncertainty since the outbreak of hostilities in late February. According to the original tournament schedule, Team Melli is slated to play all three of their opening-round group matches within the United States. In response, Taj confirmed that the federation is currently in negotiations with FIFA to have these specific fixtures relocated to Mexico to ensure the safety and political neutrality of the squad.
As part of their current preparation phase, the national team is holding a training camp in Turkey. They are scheduled to participate in a four-nation invitational tournament in Antalya, featuring matches against Nigeria on 27 March and Costa Rica four days later. This preparatory tournament was originally intended to be held in Jordan but was relocated due to the broader instability currently affecting the Middle East. Taj emphasised that the team remains focused on their sporting objectives despite the complex diplomatic landscape.
The FFIRI President made these remarks while welcoming members of the women’s national team back to Iran following their journey from Australia. The women’s delegation had been the subject of international attention after being offered asylum by the Australian government during the Women’s Asian Cup. While seven members initially considered the offer due to safety concerns, only two ultimately chose to remain in Australia. This incident, coupled with statements from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the “appropriateness” of Iranian players entering the U.S., has further fueled Taj’s demand for a venue change.
While Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed an openness to hosting Iran’s scheduled matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, the final decision rests with FIFA. The world governing body for football has acknowledged ongoing communication with the FFIRI but maintained that it currently expects all participating teams to compete according to the original match schedule announced in December 2025. The situation remains fluid as diplomatic and sporting authorities weigh the logistical challenges against the safety of the athletes.
