Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, has made it clear that Iran's appeal to have their World Cup matches held in Mexico instead of the United States has been officially rejected. This decision comes despite concerns from the Iranian national team regarding safety issues while competing on US soil, specifically in light of political tensions and military actions that have led Iranian officials to believe it might be unsafe for their players to travel to the United States. Infantino's statements followed a meeting of FIFA's governing council, asserting the necessity for all teams to adhere to the established schedule.

The Iranian football team was scheduled to play all its group stage matches in the United States. The decision raises significant concerns for players and officials amidst heightened military tensions in the region, particularly involving actions from Israel and the US, which have been cited as reasons for insecurity by Iranian authorities. The team's apprehensions were exacerbated by remarks made by former US President Donald Trump, who had previously urged Iran not to come to the US, citing safety risks.

While Iranian officials have expressed they do not intend to boycott the World Cup, they maintain that the safety of their team is paramount and are concerned about the implications of traveling to the US. This situation highlights the complex intersection of sports, politics, and international relations, as FIFA navigates its responsibilities to uphold its competition rules while also considering the safety and welfare of all participating nations.