Iranian Football Association President Mehdi Taji said Iran will participate in the upcoming World Cup fifa world cup But intends to resist the United States amid ongoing tensions.“We will prepare for the World Cup. We will boycott the United States, but not the World Cup,” Taj Mahal said in a video posted Wednesday by Iran’s Fars news agency, according to AFP.The Iranian team is currently scheduled to play in the group stage in the United States. However, the federation has begun discussions with FIFA about the possibility of moving these matches to another venue. FIFA has so far said the tournament schedule remains unchanged.Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum said on Tuesday that Mexico was ready to host Iran in their group matches if needed. “Yes,” she said when asked about the possibility. “Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world, so we will wait for FIFA’s decision.”Iran’s participation in the tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, has been in the spotlight since the conflict in the Middle East began last month. US President Donald Trump earlier warned that the safety of Iranian players could be at risk if they travel to the United States.Gianni Infantino initially said Trump guaranteed the Iranian team would be allowed to participate. Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before facing Egypt in Seattle.However, Trump later said that the Iranian team should not travel to the game “for their own lives and safety,” sparking a strong reaction. Iran responded that “no one can exclude the Iranian national team from the World Cup.”Iran qualified for the World Cup almost a year ago as the top group in its group, becoming the second Asian team to qualify after Japan.The team’s current home base is planned to be in Tucson, Arizona.Meanwhile, Abolfazl Parsandid criticized the US government’s lack of cooperation in issuing visas and providing logistical support to the Iranian delegation in a statement released on Monday.If Iran ultimately withdraws from the World Cup, it is unclear which team will replace them.
