The president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), Mehdi Taj, said that the Iranian national team is preparing for the World Cup, which is scheduled from June 11 to July 19, but that it has no intention of playing on US soil.
Iran was among the first to secure an appearance at the World Cup, which will be jointly organized by the USA, Mexico and Canada, and according to the current schedule of matches, all three of their matches in Group G, against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, should be played in the USA, two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. But because of the American-Israeli attack on Iran that began at the end of February the performance of the Iranian national team at the World Cup has been called into question.
Taj said earlier this week that FFIRI is negotiating with FIFA to transfer Iran’s matches from the USA to Mexico.
Our national team in Turkey is preparing for the WC, we will boycott America, but not the championshipTaj said.
Iran should play friendly matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica on the 27th and 31st of this month in Antalya.
Last week, US President Donald Trump said that “for their own safety” it would not be appropriate for the Iranian national team to play in the USA, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said two days ago that her country is open to hosting the matches of the Iranian national team, but that the final decision on changing the venue must be made by FIFA.
From FIFA for now insist that all matches at the World Cup be played as scheduled which was determined on December 6 last year, the day after the draw.
The president of the Asian-Pacific branch of the union of professional football players (FIFPRO), Beau Busch, stated that it is FIFA’s responsibility to ensure the safety of all World Cup participants.
FIFA has an institutional responsibility to protect human rights. It is crucial that FIFA conducts a truly comprehensive human rights impact assessment and ensures that every World Cup participant, every player, every fan, can be safe and that all risks are identified and effectively mitigated, Busch said.
(Hina | Photo: X)
