The Football Association of the Islamic Republic of Iran is reportedly in talks with FIFA to move their match location from the United States to Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This move was not made lightly, but rather driven by serious concerns for the safety of their players and officials in an increasingly tense geopolitical environment.
The frosty relationship between Iran and the United States has once again come into the spotlight as security issues have been raised publicly.
Donald Trump's statement questioning the security guarantees of the Iranian team is seen as one of the factors that has worsened the situation.
In a situation like this, Iran is not only thinking about the game on the field, but also the risks off the field including physical security, visa approvals and logistical support throughout the tournament.
Mexico is seen as a safer and neutral alternative, not to mention that the country is also co-hosting this edition of the World Cup.
However, Iran's efforts face a major obstacle when FIFA reportedly does not plan to change any match locations that have been set in advance.
Any changes are considered to risk disrupting the entire planning of the massive tournament, including ticket sales, global broadcasts and the movement of other teams.
In the most extreme scenario, Iran could consider pulling out of the tournament if their request is not approved, although such a decision is rare in modern football history.
For now, Iran has not made a final decision and continues to express its commitment to playing on the world's biggest stage.
