FIFA chief Infantino says Iran will play their World Cup matches in the US as planned

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ANTALYA – FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on March 31 that Iran will play their World Cup matches in the US in June as scheduled, despite the country’s ongoing armed conflict with the tournament’s co-host.

The Iranian football federation (FFIRI) has been pushing to relocate the team’s three World Cup group-stage matches from the US to Mexico, citing the American military’s involvement alongside Israel in strikes that sparked the current regional war.

The FFIRI said earlier in March that it was in discussions with football’s world governing body FIFA about a venue switch, while Iran’s sports ministry has banned national and club sports teams from travelling to countries it considers hostile until further notice.

But Infantino was dismissive when asked about the possibility of relocating matches, during a surprise visit to Turkey to watch the Iranians’ 5-0 friendly win over Costa Rica.

“No, no, the matches will be where they should be according to the draw,” the 56-year-old told reporters in the Turkish city of Antalya, where Iran have been holding a training camp.

“It looks like we’ll be in the right grounds. We’re delighted because they’re a very, very strong team, as we saw today. I’m very happy. I saw the team, I spoke to the players and the coaches.”

Iran, who booked their place at the World Cup in March 2025, are scheduled to play all of their group-stage matches on American soil – two in Los Angeles against New Zealand and Belgium, and a clash with Egypt in Seattle.

US President Donald Trump said earlier in March that while Iran’s national team were welcome to play in the US, it might not be appropriate for their “life and safety”.

He later made clear that any threat to the players would not come from the US.

United Arab Emirates-based striker Sardar Azmoun was omitted from the Iran squad for the training camp, amid Iranian media reports that he had been expelled for a perceived act of disloyalty to the government.

Azmoun, who has scored 57 goals in 91 internationals, had posted a picture on his Instagram feed of a meeting with Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose emirate has been the target of Iranian rocket and drone attacks during the conflict.

Speaking directly to the Iranian players on March 31, Infantino pledged his support but steered clear of the wider issues surrounding the war.

“From now until the World Cup, I will do whatever I can to support the Iran national team,” he said, according to the FFIRI.

“If you want to organise a training camp or if there is any matter related to activities outside the country, whatever it is, I will help.”

“Whenever you want, please stay in contact. I am at your service and will help with anything you need,” he added.

Mr Trump on March 31 said the government will have to “force ourselves” on Los Angeles when the June 11-July 19 World Cup takes place, saying he did not want any crime or problems.

“We’re gonna have to do something when it comes World Cup time, and we’re gonna have to force ourselves upon them, which we have the right to do, because we don’t want to have any crime, we don’t want to have any problems,” he told reporters at the Oval Office.

Mr Trump has touted crackdown on crime in several cities, including Washington, where he mobilised hundreds of federal agents and thousands of soldiers to the nation’s capital.

Human rights organisation Amnesty International has said millions of fans heading to the tournament face significant risks, warning that the tournament is drifting far from the “safe, free and inclusive” event originally promised by FIFA. REUTERS