The president of Iran\u2019s soccer federation said his country would \u201cboycott the United States, but not the World Cup\u201d as it attempts to move its group stage matches south of the border to Mexico.<\/p>\n
Mehdi Taj drew the distinction while speaking to Iran\u2019s Fars news agency on Wednesday \u200bin response to President Donald Trump\u2019s warning that Iran should skip the World Cup \u201cfor their \u200cown life and safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taj affirmed Iran intends to compete despite the war in the Middle East, which broke out in February when the U.S. and Israel targeted Iran with airstrikes that killed the longtime supreme leader Ali Khameini.<\/p>\n
The Iranians are attempting to negotiate with FIFA for the relocation of three Group G fixtures that are earmarked for the West Coast. They are slated to play \u200cagainst \u200bNew Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Inglewood, \u2060Calif., then face Egypt on June \u206026 in Seattle.<\/p>\n
The schedule puts Iran and the USMNT on a potential collision course. If the U.S. finishes second in Group D and Iran is the Group G runner-up, the teams would clash in a Round of 32 match in Arlington, Texas, on July 3.<\/p>\n
Mexico is willing to host Iran\u2019s matches, \u200bPresident Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world. Therefore, we will wait to see what FIFA decides,\u201d Sheinbaum said.<\/p>\n
The 48-team World Cup is being staged in 11 \u2060American cities, three in Mexico and two in Canada. It \u2060runs from June 11 through the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in East \u200bRutherford, N.J.<\/p>\n
The USMNT faces Paraguay in Inglewood on June 12, opposes Australia in Seattle on June 19 and returns \u200bto Inglewood on June 25 to take on a European qualifier that is still to \u200cbe determined.<\/p>\n
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he wants the tournament to proceed \u201cas scheduled\u201d following a FIFA council meeting Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cFIFA can\u2019t solve geopolitical conflicts, but we are committed to using the power of football and the FIFA World Cup to build bridges and promote peace as our thoughts are with those who are suffering as a consequence \u2060of the ongoing wars,\u201d Infantino said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFIFA is looking forward to all teams participating at the FIFA World Cup to compete in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ranked No. 20 in the world, the Iranians qualified \u2060for the World Cup for the fourth \u200cconsecutive time last March as one of the top sides in the Asian \u2060Football Confederation. They were eliminated from the group stage in 2022 with \u200ba 1-0 loss \u200cto the U.S. in Doha, Qatar.<\/p>\n
Iranian athletes and coaches are exempt from \u200bthe travel ban \u2060that Trump imposed against their country last June.<\/p>\n
U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), the congressional soccer caucus co-chair, told Front Office Sports that the Iranians should not feel compelled to steer clear of the U.S.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the World Cup, and the teams should feel safe playing the games in the country where they\u2019re taking place,\u201d Larsen, whose district in Washington state is north of Seattle, said on Wednesday. \u201cThe President should not be fomenting concerns about Iran playing in \u200bthe United States.\u201d<\/p>\n
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