Iran’s football federation is negotiating with FIFA to relocate its 2026 World Cup group matches from the United States to co-host Mexico, citing security fears following the outbreak of the US-Israel war on Iran.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, confirmed the discussions on Monday, pointing to explicit threats from US President Donald Trump as the primary reason for seeking a venue change.
“When [US President Donald] Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Taj said in a post shared on the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account.
Safety Concerns Mount
The development comes as the US-Israel war on Iran enters its third week, having begun on February 28, 2026, with air attacks that killed Iran’s supreme leader and several other political and military figures.
Iran’s sports minister indicated last week that players could not participate in football’s global showpiece under the current circumstances. While Trump has stated the Iranian team is welcome to compete, he suggested it might not be appropriate for them to play in the US “for their own life and safety.”
Iran secured their place in the 48-team tournament as the first Asian nation to qualify, booking their spot on March 25, 2025. The team is currently scheduled to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle when the tournament kicks off across the US, Canada, and Mexico on June 11.
Diplomatic Push for Mexico Option
“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico,” Taj confirmed.
The move would require approval from football’s world governing body and would represent an unprecedented logistical shift so close to the tournament. Mexico, as one of three host nations, would need to accommodate an additional set of matches.
The Asian Football Confederation stated on Sunday that it had received no formal notification of Iran’s withdrawal from the tournament, suggesting discussions remain at an early stage.
Iran’s qualification has been thrown into uncertainty by the escalating conflict, which has reshaped regional alliances and raised questions about the participation of athletes from nations involved in active hostilities with host countries.
