New Delhi, March 17: Iran’s participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026 is uncertain as the country’s football federation are in talks with FIFA to move its scheduled matches in the United States to Mexico due to rising security concerns.

Iranian football president Mehdi Taj confirmed this development. He stated that safety assurances are a major issue. “When [US President Donald] Trump has said he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Taj said in a post shared via the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account. “We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”

These concerns arise from the ongoing conflict following the US-Israel airstrikes on Iran in 2026, which started in late February and has heightened regional tensions. Iran’s sports minister previously indicated the seriousness of the situation, mentioning that the national team might not be able to take part in the tournament as planned.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that Iran would be allowed to participate but recognized the sensitivity of the matter. He said the team is welcome but suggested it might not be suitable for them to play in the United States “for their own life and safety.”

Iran had easily qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. They became the first Asian team to secure their spot on March 25, 2025. According to the current schedule, they are set to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

However, the worsening geopolitical situation raises the possibility of a dramatic withdrawal. This would be unprecedented in the modern era of the World Cup and could require FIFA to make a last-minute replacement decision.

For now, the Asian Football Confederation has said it has not received any official communication about a withdrawal. It added that the Iranian federation has confirmed its intention to participate, although the rapidly changing situation continues to create uncertainty about their final decision.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday extended his best wishes to Team India ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final, where India will take on New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad later in the day.

In a message shared on X (formally Twitter), Shinde expressed confidence in the Indian side and said the team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will enter the summit clash with determination and the hopes of millions of fans across the country.

Wishing the Men in Blue success in the crucial match, Shinde said crores of supporters across India are eagerly awaiting the final and are ready to celebrate the team’s victory. He added that fans across the nation are hopeful that India will secure the title and create history in the tournament.

India secured their place in the final after defeating England in the semi-final on March 6 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The win helped the Suryakumar Yadav-led side advance to the title clash, setting up a highly anticipated contest against New Zealand.

The final is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 8, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which is expected to witness a massive turnout of cricket fans. The stadium, known as the largest cricket venue in the world, is likely to see strong support for the Indian team as they take the field in pursuit of the championship.

The match also presents India with an opportunity to script history in the T20 World Cup. If the team lifts the trophy on Sunday, it will achieve two rare milestones in the tournament’s history.

India are currently the defending champions of the T20 World Cup, and a victory in the final would make them the first team to successfully retain the title. At the same time, the win would also mark the first instance of a host nation winning the T20 World Cup.

With two historic records at stake, fans across the country will be hoping that the Men in Blue rise to the occasion and deliver a memorable performance in Ahmedabad, turning the night into a celebration for cricket lovers across the nation.

Ahmedabad: Hotel room prices in Ahmedabad have increased sharply ahead of the India–New Zealand T20 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. According to hotel industry representatives, tariffs have risen by nearly 300 to 400 percent because of huge demand from cricket fans.

The high-profile final is scheduled to take place on Sunday, drawing visitors from across India and several international locations.

Narendra Somani, President of the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Gujarat, said that rooms which earlier cost Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 are now being offered between Rs 15,000 and Rs 50,000. The sharp increase is mainly due to the sudden surge in bookings for the match weekend.

Luxury Hotels See Huge Price Surge

Luxury hotels have witnessed an even bigger spike in prices.

At Taj Skyline Ahmedabad, a deluxe room for two people has been listed at around Rs 2.01 lakh for Sunday night, plus nearly Rs 36,000 GST on a travel portal. On regular days, the same room usually costs Rs 9,000 to Rs 15,000, showing an almost 20-times increase.

Similarly, rooms at Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels Ahmedabad are currently priced around Rs 20,950, compared to the usual Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000.

Another popular property, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad, is charging around Rs 30,000 for the match night, which is about four times higher than its normal rates.

Occupancy Expected Around 80 Percent

Ahmedabad currently has around 10,000 hotel rooms across all categories. Despite the huge demand, Somani said that hotels may not be completely sold out.

“Hotels in and around the city are expected to see about 80 percent occupancy on Sunday because of the match,” he said.

Many Fans Avoid Overnight Stay

Because of the high hotel prices, many visitors are choosing other options instead of staying overnight.

Some travellers are booking accommodation in nearby Gandhinagar, located about 25 kilometres from Ahmedabad, where room rates are relatively lower.

Others are travelling to the city only for the match and returning home the same night. Many fans from Mumbai drive to Ahmedabad in the morning, reach by evening, attend the match, and then leave at night with their drivers.

Visitors from cities such as Rajkot and Porbandar are also following a similar plan.

Apart from domestic travellers, several international cricket fans are also expected to arrive in Ahmedabad to watch the final.