WASHINGTON — Iran's soccer federation confirmed Wednesday that the national team will continue training for this summer's World Cup despite declaring it will not set foot on American soil for matches.

Federation president Mehdi Taj announced the unprecedented position during a Tehran press conference, stating his players would only participate if FIFA relocates Iran's group stage fixtures away from US venues. The 2026 tournament spans three host nations from June 11 through July 19, with matches scheduled across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

"Our athletes deserve to compete at the highest level, but we cannot compromise our sovereignty for sporting glory," Taj told reporters. The Iranian squad secured qualification among the first wave of nations last year, making their potential absence a significant blow to tournament credibility. FIFA regulations typically prohibit host nation boycotts, though emergency provisions exist for extraordinary circumstances.

Diplomatic sources suggest the soccer dispute reflects broader deterioration in US-Iran relations following February's military incidents. "Sports have become another battlefield in this proxy war," said Dr. Sarah Mitchell, Middle East analyst at the Institute for Strategic Studies. "Iran is testing whether FIFA will prioritize politics over athletics." Tournament organizers face an unprecedented dilemma with less than three months until kickoff, as relocating fixtures would disrupt sold-out stadiums and broadcast schedules across multiple time zones.