Iran in Talks to Shift World Cup Matches to Mexico

Iran’s football federation is in talks with FIFA to move its upcoming World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico due to security concerns.

Iranian football president Mehdi Taj confirmed that discussions are ongoing after comments made by US President Donald Trump regarding the safety of the Iranian team.

Trump recently stated that while Iran is welcome to participate in the tournament, it may not be safe for them to play in the United States. Reacting to this, Taj said Iran would not travel to the US if player safety cannot be guaranteed.

“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico,” Taj said in a statement shared via the Iranian embassy in Mexico.

The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran is currently set to play two group-stage matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

Concerns about Iran’s participation have increased due to rising tensions, including recent US and Israeli airstrikes on Tehran. Iran’s sports minister has also suggested that participation in the tournament may not be possible under the current situation.

If Iran officially withdraws, it would be the first such case in the modern World Cup era, forcing FIFA to find a replacement team quickly.

However, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has said it has not received any official notice of withdrawal. AFC General Secretary Windsor John stated that, as of now, Iran has confirmed it plans to participate in the tournament.