Iran Seeks to Move 2026 World Cup Matches Over Safety Concerns
Iran has opened discussions with FIFA about relocating its 2026 FIFA World Cup fixtures from the United States to Mexico. The move comes amid growing concerns about player safety linked to rising tensions in the Middle East.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, said the request stems from recent remarks by US President Donald Trump questioning Iran’s participation in the tournament.
“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Taj said.
“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”
Current 2026 World Cup Schedule and Groups
The 2026 World Cup is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. According to the current match schedule, Iran is due to play:
- New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles
- Egypt in Seattle
However, the recent political context and regional tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel have heightened concerns over whether Iran’s national team can safely travel to the planned venues.
Trump’s Remarks and FIFA’s Position
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said Iran was “welcome to the World Cup,” but also added that he did not think “it is appropriate” for them to attend “for their own life and safety.”
In response, FIFA confirmed that it is aware of the situation but has not made any official changes to the match schedule.
“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including Iran, to discuss planning for the World Cup,” a FIFA spokesperson told the BBC.
“FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025.”
Iran’s Stance on Participation
Iran has not withdrawn from the 2026 World Cup. A message on the national team’s official Telegram account emphasized that FIFA, not any host nation, controls the tournament and must ensure security for all teams.
Separately, Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, said that current conditions do not provide the “right environment” for the team’s participation.
This is IDNN. Independent. Digital. Uncompromising.
