“The turbulent countdown towards this summer’s World Cup finals shows little sign of easing. A social media post from the Iranian embassy in Mexico late on Monday night only served to heighten the growing sense of uncertainty when it was claimed negotiations had begun with tournament organisers to relocate Iran’s games away from the United States. Mexico, it was said, could offer the solution while the U.S. continues its military attacks on Iran. ‘When (U.S. President Donald) Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,’ read a statement attributed to Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, in a post on X. ‘We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.’ …”
NY Times/The Athletic