Sports 22 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Iran Presses On with World Cup Prep, Refuses US Matches Amid Tensions
Iran's soccer chief Mehdi Taj has affirmed that the national team will continue preparations for the 2026 World Cup and participate fully, but they will boycott matches in the United States due to ongoing conflict. The team is negotiating with FIFA to relocate their group stage games to Mexico. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/world-cup/iran-continuing-world-cup-preparations-but-will-not-play-in-us-says-soccer-chief-5399154
Iran’s national football team, one of the earliest qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, remains committed to the tournament despite escalating tensions with the United States since late February. The finals, set for June 11 to July 19 across the US, Mexico, and Canada, have cast doubt on their involvement.
FFIRI President Mehdi Taj stated that Team Melli has no plans to withdraw. ‘We will boycott America, but we will not boycott the World Cup,’ he declared, as quoted by Fars News Agency.
Originally slated for all three group stage matches in the US against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, Iran is pushing FIFA to shift them to Mexico. Currently, the team is in a training camp in Turkey, gearing up with friendlies against Nigeria on March 27 and Costa Rica on March 31 in Antalya.
Taj’s comments came while welcoming the women’s national team back from Australia, where most of the delegation was offered asylum amid safety concerns—seven accepted initially, but only two stayed. US President Donald Trump had encouraged the offer, noting potential risks, though he clarified no threats from the US.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed willingness to host Iran’s games, but FIFA holds the final decision and expects all teams to follow the December 6, 2025 schedule while engaging with FFIRI.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)