Iran say they are negotiating with Fifa to move their World Cup games to Mexico | World Cup 2026
Iran’s football federation said it was in discussions with Fifa over moving the team’s World Cup matches to Mexico from the United States, due to concerns over the safety of its players.
Iran’s participation was questioned after the United States launched joint airstrikes on that country with Israel. Donald Trump said last week that Iran was welcome to participate, but suggested it may not be appropriate for them to play in the United States “for their own lives and safety.”
“When Trump explicitly stated that he could not provide security for the Iranian national team, we would definitely not go to America,” Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said in a message on the Iranian embassy on Mexico’s X account. “We are negotiating with Fifa for the Iranian World Cup matches to take place in Mexico.”
Fifa did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico is scheduled to begin on June 11, with Iran scheduled to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand are Iran’s opponents in Group G. The United States and Iran are expected to meet in the round of 16 in Dallas if they finish second in their respective groups.
The organizing committees for the Los Angeles and Seattle games did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside of normal U.S. business hours.
The prospect of moving matches from Iran to Mexico would mark a significant logistical shift for the tournament, although moving matches for security or geopolitical reasons is not unprecedented.
In cricket, strained political relations between India and Pakistan mean they only play each other at neutral venues in multi-team tournaments. India refused to travel to Pakistan for last year’s Champions Trophy and were allowed to play all their matches in Dubai.
If FIFA rejected moving the venue to Mexico, it seems unlikely that Iran would travel to the United States and participate in the tournament while it is at war with one of the co-hosts.
Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said last week it was not possible for Iranian players to participate after the United States launched airstrikes alongside Israel against Tehran, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Several publications in the country’s state media subsequently reported that no decision to withdraw had been made, and even expressed surprise at Donyamali’s comments. Although Donyamali’s opinions carry weight because he is a minister, the final decision will be made at a higher level of government.
A formal withdrawal would be the first in the modern era and would leave Fifa with the urgent task of finding a replacement.
