Iran’s football federation has opened discussions with FIFA about relocating its 2026 World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, citing security concerns for its players amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
Speaking on Monday, Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj said the move follows recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which have cast uncertainty over the country’s participation in the global tournament.
U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier indicated that while Iran would be allowed to compete, it might not be appropriate for the team to play matches on American soil “for their own life and safety.” Responding to that statement, Taj said Iran would not risk traveling to the U.S. under such conditions.
“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Taj said in a statement shared via the Iranian embassy in Mexico. “We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”
FIFA has yet to issue an official response.
Major Disruption to Tournament Plans
Iran had already secured qualification for a fourth consecutive World Cup after topping their group in the final round of Asian qualifiers. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to begin on June 11.
Under the current fixture list, Iran is set to play two group-stage matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. Their Group G opponents include Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
A relocation of these fixtures to Mexico would represent a significant logistical shift for the tournament, affecting scheduling, travel, and hosting arrangements. However, similar precedents exist in international sports where geopolitical tensions have forced venue changes.
In one such case, Belarus was barred from hosting matches during European qualifiers due to its role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, prompting games to be played at neutral venues. Likewise, longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan have led to both nations competing only at neutral locations in major cricket tournaments.
Uncertainty Over Participation
If FIFA declines Iran’s request, the country’s participation in the World Cup could be at risk. Iranian officials have already signaled that playing in the United States while conflict persists is unlikely.
Iran’s sports minister recently stated that participation may not be feasible following the U.S.-led strikes on Tehran, which reportedly resulted in the death of the country’s supreme leader. An official withdrawal would mark an unprecedented development in the modern history of the World Cup and leave FIFA scrambling to find a replacement team.
For now, the Asian Football Confederation says it has received no formal notice of withdrawal. AFC General Secretary Windsor John confirmed that Iran’s federation has indicated its intention to compete.
“At the end of the day, it’s the federation who should decide if they’re playing, and as of today, the federation has told us that they are going to the World Cup,” he said.
As tensions continue to rise, FIFA faces mounting pressure to balance safety concerns with the logistical complexities of hosting the world’s biggest football tournament across three nations.
