Iran Seeks Move of World Cup Matches from US to Mexico

The president of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, says the country is in talks with FIFA to move its 2026 World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico over safety concerns.

The request comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, following recent military exchanges involving Iran, Israel, and US-allied states in the Gulf.

The United States is set to co-host the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Iran are currently scheduled to play their group matches in the US. They are set to face New Zealand on June 16 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, before taking on Egypt in Seattle on June 27.

However, concerns about security have grown after comments by US President Donald Trump. He said Iran would be “welcome” at the tournament but suggested it might not be appropriate for them to attend due to safety reasons.

Responding to this, Mehdi Taj stated that Iran would not travel to the United States if their safety cannot be guaranteed. He stressed that the protection of players and officials remains the federation’s top priority.

“We are negotiating with Fifa to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”

A Fifa spokesperson said: “Fifa is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including Iran, to discuss planning for the World Cup.

“Fifa is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025.”

Iran, who have qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup, decided not to pull out of the competition last summer when the US bombed three nuclear facilities in the country.

A recent message on the national team’s Telegram account said that Fifa is the organiser of the World Cup and “not any single country”.

It added that “the country that should be removed is the one that merely carries the title of host but does not have the ability to ensure security for the teams participating in this event”.

Previously, Trump has said he “does not care” if Iran take part in the World Cup.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino subsequently said the US President had told him Iran are “welcome to compete” at this summer’s finals, despite the countries being at war.

Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, then said that “under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup”.

If Iran’s games are relocated to Mexico, it would not be the first time matches have been moved for safety and geopolitical reasons.

In recent times, Belarus have played their competitive home games in Hungary because of their support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This included a World Cup qualifier against Scotland last year, which was played at the ZTE Arena in Zalaegerszeg.

In cricket, political tensions between India and Pakistan mean that the two countries will only play each other at neutral venues when they meet at ICC events.

India refused to travel to Pakistan to play in the Champions Trophy in 2025, while Pakistan played their matches in the recent T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.