Australia-based winger Michael Barbarouses says that moving the match to a different venue would not disrupt the team’s preparations.
New Zealand’s national football players have said they are prepared to play their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Iran at a venue outside the United States if necessary, as uncertainty continues around the fixture due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Iran was among the first teams to secure qualification for the World Cup finals, but their participation has been uncertain since the US-Israeli conflict involving the Islamic Republic escalated at the end of February.
Team Melli is scheduled to play all three of their opening group-stage matches in the United States, beginning with their June 15 opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles. However, the Iranian Football Federation has threatened to boycott matches on US soil.
New Zealand are preparing as if the Los Angeles fixture will proceed as planned, but players stated on Wednesday that they could adapt to a venue change outside the US if required.
Netherlands-based midfielder Ryan Thomas emphasized that Iran had earned their place at the World Cup and that the All Whites could handle the additional attention surrounding the match.
“They deserve to be there as qualifiers,” he told Reuters.
“If we have to play them in Mexico or Canada, then that’s fine. It’s not a big deal for me.”
During the World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, New Zealand will be based in San Diego, southern California, just a short drive from the Mexican border.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recently stated that her country would be willing to host Iran’s World Cup matches, though any final decision on a venue change would rest with FIFA.
Australia-based winger Kosta Barbarouses said the players would leave the decision to “the people in charge” and did not believe a venue switch would affect New Zealand’s preparations.
“I don’t think it would derail our preparation at all,” he told Reuters.
“We’ve got a base set up before our first game anyway, so I don’t see why it would be a problem.”
Security concerns
FIFA has declined to comment on the possibility of relocating Iran’s matches but confirmed it is in contact with the Iranian Football Federation and looks forward to all teams competing according to the current schedule.
Iran will also face Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle during the group stage.
Australia-based winger Kosta Barbarouses, 36, and a father of two, acknowledged security concerns for the New Zealand-Iran match in Los Angeles but expressed confidence in the authorities to protect players and their families as the All Whites return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
“I understand there will be worries for people, but with the magnitude of the event, I would love to have my family there,” said the Western Sydney Wanderers winger.
“I would feel safe for them to be over there. I don’t think they’d miss it.”
Netherlands-based midfielder Ryan Thomas noted that nerves would naturally be high for New Zealand ahead of the opener, as is common in any major tournament.
“Obviously there’s a big buildup prior to the first game,” the 31-year-old said.
“So it’s going to be interesting to see how we handle that, but I’m confident in the group to manage it on the pitch.”
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