**Iran's Football Federation Chief Announces Boycott of US World Cup Matches** Iran plans to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but only if the country's matches are relocated from the United States to Mexico, according to Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation. This decision comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, with the US and Israel continuing their military campaign against Iran for four weeks. The 2026 World Cup is set to take place across the US, Canada, and Mexico, with Iran scheduled to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, followed by Egypt in Seattle on June 26. However, Taj stated in a video released on Wednesday that Iran will not be playing in the US, citing concerns over security. "We will boycott the United States but not the World Cup," he said. In a separate development, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed openness to hosting Iran's matches, stating that Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world. Sheinbaum said that her country will wait to see what FIFA decides. Meanwhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that the organization wants the tournament to "go ahead as scheduled" and is not considering granting Iran's request to move its matches. Infantino had previously stated that US President Donald Trump assured him the Iranian team would be "welcome" at the tournament. However, Trump later suggested that the Iranian team should not travel to the US "for their own life and safety," citing concerns over their security. This controversy follows a separate incident involving Iranian women footballers in Australia earlier this month, where a man drove his utility vehicle toward the team's bus, ramming it multiple times. The Iranian Football Federation has cited Trump's remarks as grounds for refusing to play on American soil, with Taj stating that when the president "has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America." The federation has opened talks with FIFA about moving the games to Mexico, and it remains to be seen whether the organization will grant their request.