Iran opens talks with FIFA over World Cup venue change

In this file photo, Iran’s players pose for a team photo before an Asian Group A qualifying soccer match against North Korea at Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran. (AP)

MEXICO CITY, March 17 (AP): Iran’s Embassy in Mexico on Tuesday said the country is negotiating with FIFA to move Iran’s World Cup matches from the U.S. to Mexico after President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending the tournament, citing safety concerns.

It was unclear whether such talks are happening with FIFA, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Iranian officials have previously said it is up to FIFA and the U.S. to ensure the team's safety 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.”

The United States, Canada, and Mexico are co-hosting the World Cup. Iran is scheduled to play against New Zealand on June 16 and Belgium on June 21 in Inglewood, California, before finishing group play in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.

Moving the games would be unprecedented, less than three months before the start of the World Cup.

Trump said last week that the Iranian team was welcome at the World Cup despite the ongoing war in the Middle East, but "I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

Iran has sent mixed signals about its participation in the tournament after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks.

Sports minister Ahmad Donyamali told state TV last week that it was not possible to play "due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran.”

But after Trump's post, the national team said on Instagram that "no one can exclude” it from the tournament, and a government spokesman in Tehran stressed that it was the responsibility of FIFA and the U.S., as co-host nation, to keep players safe and secure.

"FIFA is the organizer of the World Cup,” Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said. "When warnings are issued at the highest level about the environment being unsafe for Iranian football players, this indicates that the host country apparently lacks the capacity and ability to provide security for such an important sporting event.”

Soccer is followed passionately in Iran, a nation of more than 90 million people that has qualified for seven men's World Cups, including each of the past four editions. The team is ranked No. 20 in the world by FIFA and is behind only Japan from Asia.