Mexican president says country ready to host Iran’s World Cup matches | OneFootball

The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, opened up on Tuesday the possibility of her country hosting Iran's matches in the 2026 World Cup, following political tensions between the Islamic Republic and United States President Donald Trump amid the war in the Middle East.

“They (the Iranian Federation) are checking with FIFA to see if it’s feasible, because they were supposed to go to the United States, to see if they can hold the tournament here in Mexico. They’re looking into it and we will inform you at the appropriate time,” Sheinbaum said in her morning press conference.

“Mexico has relations with all the countries in the world, so let’s see what FIFA decides and, from there, we will inform you,” she added.

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Asked directly whether Mexico is open to hosting the matches and if the issue is solely FIFA’s logistics, Sheinbaum replied “yes.”

The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) is negotiating with FIFA for its national team to play the group stage of the World Cup on Mexican soil, according to the Asian country’s embassy in Mexico.

“Since [American President, Donald] Trump has clearly stated that he cannot guarantee the safety of the Iranian national team, we will definitely not go to the United States,” said FFIRI president Mehdi Taj, in statements published on the diplomatic mission’s account on the social network X.

Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, denounced on Monday (16th) “the lack of cooperation from the American government in issuing visas and providing logistical support” to the Iranian delegation ahead of the World Cup.

Iran is in Group G of the competition, with matches against Belgium and New Zealand in Los Angeles and against Egypt in Seattle. The team’s base during the World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19, is planned for Tucson, Arizona.

Trump stated last Thursday that Iran should not participate in the tournament “for its own safety,” amid the war in the Middle East. The Republican politician made these statements just two days after telling FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Iranian players would be welcome, despite the conflict.

With content from AFP*

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.