Iran negotiates with FIFA to move World Cup matches to Mexico
Iran's football federation seeks to relocate its group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, citing security concerns and visa issues.
1:47 PM
Iran's football federation is negotiating with FIFA to move its World Cup 2026 group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, according to statements from Iranian officials on Tuesday.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, said in a post on the Iranian embassy's X account that the team will not travel to the United States because President Donald Trump "has explicitly stated that he cannot guarantee the security of the Iranian national team." Taj stated: "We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran's World Cup matches in Mexico."
Iran is scheduled to play New Zealand on June 16 and Belgium on June 21, both in Los Angeles, and Egypt on June 27 in Seattle. All three matches are currently set to take place in the United States.
The Iranian embassy in Mexico cited additional concerns beyond security. Ambassador Abolfazl Psedniddeh said the embassy had suggested to FIFA that Iran's matches be moved to Mexico due to "the lack of cooperation of the US government in the issuance of visas and the provision of logistical support to the Iranian national football team in preparation for the 2026 World Cup." Psedniddeh reiterated: "We emphasize that the United States does not cooperate with us on the visa issue. We are interested in attending the World Cup, but the US government does not provide the necessary logistical and administrative support."
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that conversations are underway between her country and FIFA regarding the potential relocation. "It is being reviewed and at the appropriate time I would report on it. Mexico has relations with all countries in the world. So we will see what FIFA establishes and based on that we would inform," Sheinbaum said at a press conference from the National Palace on Tuesday. She indicated her team is evaluating with FIFA representatives "if it is feasible" to host Iran's matches.
FIFA, however, appears resistant to the proposal. In a statement, FIFA said it is "in regular contact with all participating member associations, including IR Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026" and stated it is "looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025." FIFA did not indicate any plans to alter the current schedule.
The negotiations come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Last week, Trump said Iran was welcome to participate in the tournament but expressed concern about the "life and safety" of Iranian players if they travel to the United States. This followed US and Israeli air strikes on Iran in late February.
The Asian Football Confederation stated on Monday that it has not received any formal notification from Iran that it will withdraw from the tournament. Iran qualified for the 48-team World Cup, which takes place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.