Iran Sports Minister: Relocation Request Still Valid — Participation 'Very Low' Without US Security Guarantees

Iran Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali told Anadolu Agency on April 5 that Iran's request to have its World Cup matches relocated from the United States to Mexico 'is still valid, but we have not yet received a response.' He stated: 'Under these circumstances, the possibility of Iran participating in the World Cup matches in the US is very low. But, if the relevant security guarantees are provided, our government will decide on Iran's participation in the World Cup.' The statement follows FIFA President Infantino's April 1 declaration that 'Iran will be at the World Cup,' and Iran's football federation confirming the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona as the team's training base. The disconnect between the federation (willing to participate) and the government (opposing participation at US venues) remains unresolved. Iran's Group G matches are at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles (vs New Zealand, June 15; vs Belgium, June 21) and Lumen Field in Seattle (vs Egypt, June 26). The FIFA Congress in Vancouver on April 30 — 25 days away — is the formal decision point. If the government standoff continues, FIFA must begin contingency planning for an AFC replacement.