New Zealand footballers have said they are ready to face Iran outside the United States in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, as uncertainty persists over the match amid geopolitical tensions.
Iran was one of the first nations to qualify for the final, but its participation has been in doubt since the US-Israeli conflict with the Islamic Republic erupted in late February.
Team Melli is scheduled to play its three first group round matches in the United States on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles, but the Iranian football federation has threatened to boycott matches on American soil.
New Zealand is preparing as if the Los Angeles game is going to go ahead, but players said Wednesday they could accept a move outside the United States if necessary.
Netherlands-based midfielder Ryan Thomas said Iran had earned their place at the World Cup and the All Whites would be able to handle the extra attention generated by the match.
“They deserve to be there as qualifiers,” he said. Reuters.
“If we have to play them in Mexico or Canada, then yes, we will play them there. It’s not really a big deal to me.”
During the World Cup from June 11 to July 19, New Zealand will be based in San Diego in southern California, a short drive from the Mexican border.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said last week that her country would be prepared to host Iran’s World Cup matches, although the final say on any change of venue would rest with FIFA.
Australian winger Kosta Barbarouses said the players would leave it to “those in charge” to make a decision about the match, but he did not think a change would harm New Zealand’s campaign.
“I don’t think it would derail our preparation,” he told Reuters.
“We have a base before our first game anyway. So yeah, I don’t see why not.”
Security concerns
Fifa declined to comment on the possibility of changing venues for the Iranian matches, but said it was in contact with the Iranian football federation and looked forward to the teams playing each other according to the current match schedule.
Iran will also face Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle in the group stage.
Father-of-two Barbarouses, 36, acknowledged concerns about security for the New Zealand-Iran match in Los Angeles, but said he had faith in authorities to keep players and their families safe as the All Whites play their first World Cup since the 2010 final.
“I understand there will be concerns for people but I just think with the scale of the event I would like to have family there,” the Western Sydney Wanderers winger said.
“I would feel safe if they were there. I don’t think they would miss it.”
Thomas said the New Zealand players’ nerves would be tested before the match, but that was normal for any opening match at a major tournament.
“Obviously there is a big preparation before the first match,” said the 31-year-old.
“So it’s going to be interesting to see how we handle that, but I have confidence in the group to handle that on the pitch.”
