Iran in Talks With FIFA to Shift World Cup Games Out of USA
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Iran’s football federation has opened talks with FIFA about shifting the team’s first-round World Cup matches from the United States (USA) to Mexico, Iran’s embassy in Mexico said, pointing to security concerns tied to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The issue has cast uncertainty over Iran’s plans for this summer’s tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In comments shared via the embassy’s X account, Iran football federation chief Mehdi Taj said the team would not travel to the US if safety could not be guaranteed, adding that discussions are under way with FIFA to stage Iran’s games in Mexico instead.
🔹مهدی تاج رئیس فدراسیون فوتبال ایران: وقتی ترامپ صراحتأ اعلام کرده است که نمیتواند امنیت تیم ملی ایران را تأمین کند، قطعا به آمریکا سفر نمیکنیم/در حال مذاکره با فیفا هستیم تا مسابقات ایران در جام جهانی، در کشور مکزیک برگزار شود
— Embajada de Irán en México (@IraninMexico) March 16, 2026
Iran are currently set to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before facing Egypt in Seattle. Their tournament base is listed as Tucson, Arizona.
Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, also criticized what he described as a lack of US cooperation on visas and logistical arrangements for Iran’s delegation. In a statement posted on the embassy’s website, he said he had raised the idea with FIFA of moving Iran’s matches out of the United States and into Mexico.
FIFA had not issued an immediate response to the request for comment.
The debate intensified after US President Donald Trump said last week that Iran’s team would be “welcome” in the country, but suggested they should avoid travelling to the tournament for their “life and safety.”
The remarks contrasted with earlier assurances from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who had said Trump promised him the Iranian team would be received without issue.
Iran pushed back publicly, insisting that no one could bar its national side from the World Cup.
Tensions rose sharply after the United States and Israel launched missile attacks on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting Israeli territory and US-linked sites across the region.
