Iran has formally opened talks with FIFA to move its 2026 World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico.
Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj said the decision followed direct comments by U.S President Donald Trump, who stated that he could not guarantee the safety of Iran’s national team if it travelled to the U.S for the tournament.
Trump had earlier said Iran would be welcome to take part but added it might not be appropriate for the team to play in the U.S “for their own life and safety”.
According to Taj, those remarks have left Iran with no option but to seek alternatives.
Iran Turns to FIFA
The 2026 World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11.
Iran qualified early, becoming the first Asian nation to secure a place after beating Uzbekistan in a qualifier on March 25, 2025.
“When Trump explicitly says he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America. We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico,” Mehdi Taj announced in a statement posted on the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s official X account.
Under the current schedule, Iran is due to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, with their operations base for the tournament planned for Tucson, Arizona.
Those plans are now under threat as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies after the U.S and Israel launched air strikes against Iran in late February, triggering a war that has now entered its third week.
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Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, said last week that the national team could not participate in a tournament partly hosted by a country it is fighting.
He warned that travel, visas, and basic logistical support for players and officials could not be guaranteed under current conditions.
World Cup Future Unclear
Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, also criticised what he described as a lack of cooperation by US authorities, particularly on visa issuance and security assurances for the Iranian delegation.
He said he had formally suggested to FIFA that Iran’s matches be moved out of the U.S.
However, FIFA has so far declined to comment publicly on the request.
Any change would pose major logistical and legal challenges for the world football body, which has already finalised venues, security plans, and commercial arrangements across three host countries.
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There is also uncertainty over whether Iran could ultimately withdraw from the tournament if no agreement is reached.
An official withdrawal would be unprecedented in the modern World Cup era and would force FIFA to find a replacement team at short notice.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it had not received any official notice of Iran’s withdrawal from the tournament.
AFC general secretary Windsor John said the federation had indicated it still plans to compete.
“As of today, the federation has told us that they are going to the World Cup,” he said.
Iran is drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
The team is scheduled to open its campaign against New Zealand, followed by matches against Belgium and Egypt.
Trump’s comments have drawn global attention and criticism, especially after FIFA president Gianni Infantino said earlier that the U.S president had assured him all qualified teams would be welcome.
Iran, through its sports ministry, has responded strongly, insisting that no country has the authority to block Iran’s participation.
