FIFA’s Final Word: Iran Plays World Cup in US, No Exceptions
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has slammed the door on any talk of moving Iran’s World Cup fixtures — and he left no wiggle room.
“There is no Plan B, C or D. There is only Plan A,” Infantino said. “The matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.”
The pressure on FIFA to act has been building since the US-Israel war with Iran escalated. Iran’s football federation has been pushing for their three group-stage matches to be relocated to Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum even signalled her country was open to it. FIFA’s answer: not happening.
Iran will open against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. The squad is currently training in Turkiye, preparing for a tournament they nearly threatened to abandon over safety fears for their players on US soil. FIFA offered a different kind of reassurance — “FIFA will continue to support the team to ensure the best possible conditions,” Infantino said — but stopped well short of a venue change.
Iran previously signalled they might boycott their US fixtures without formally withdrawing from the tournament. That option, too, appears to be off the table with FIFA drawing a hard line. The games are scheduled, the venues are set, and the draw will not be redrawn.
For Iran, the World Cup is coming to America whether they like it or not.