Audio By Carbonatix
World football governing body FIFA says the current schedule for June-July World Cup has not changed despite efforts by Iran to negotiate a change of host country for its matches.
Iran, housed in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt will play their matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.
However, due the current war involving the USA, host of the tournament, Israel and Iran, US President, Donald Trump suggested the safety of Iran football team and fans cannot be guaranteed if they were to participate in the tournament.
"The Iran national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” the US president said on his Truth Social platform.
Iranian officials have previously said it is up to FIFA and the US to keep the team safe during the World Cup.
The embassy posted a statement attributed to Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj saying Iran wants to move its group stage matches to Mexico to ensure the safety of players and officials.
"When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America," the statement said. "We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran's matches in the World Cup in Mexico."
However, a FIFA Spokesperson has downplayed any notion of imminent changes to the tournament schedule in an email to Joy Sports' Muftawu Nabila Abdulai.
“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including IR Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025.”
The statement suggests that, as it stands, there are no confirmed plans to move Iran’s matches away from their designated venues.
Latest Stories
-
Understanding the National Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans and their implications for the private sector
26 seconds -
ETI to raise funds from international debt market
5 minutes -
Thirty years, one road, and a minister who stopped to listen
6 minutes -
Energy Minister John Jinapor to inspect power projects in Kumasi Tomorrow
6 minutes -
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announces birth of baby girl
16 minutes -
Asare replaces Dreams FC’s Aseako for Mexico friendly
23 minutes -
IGP’s Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team arrests 11 for impersonating President Mahama
24 minutes -
Charles Amissah death probe: GRNMA objects to naming of health professionals, cites mental health concerns
29 minutes -
BoG pushes cross-border instant payments to drive Africa’s economic integration
37 minutes -
Rwandan singer dies as he was being released from prison
43 minutes -
MoH sets up technical committee to resolve KBTH laboratory dispute
48 minutes -
Over 5,000 unemployed agricultural graduates push government for recruitment
50 minutes -
US delegation praises Peace and Love Hospital’s breast cancer care efforts in Ghana
53 minutes -
Ghana to fully finance vaccines, critical medicines as Global Fund support winds down- Finance Minister
55 minutes -
Heads of Basic Schools condemn alleged assault on headteacher, teachers by military personnel
1 hour