FIFA in Talks with Iran Over Potential Venue Switch

FIFA maintains Iran's World Cup schedule, but Mexico emerges as alternative host option

Iran's World Cup matches in the US could be moved to Mexico, with FIFA in talks with FFIRI over potential venue switch.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum expresses openness to hosting Iran's World Cup games amidst diplomatic tensions....

Iran's football federation is adamant about participating in the World Cup, despite tensions with the US. Mehdi Taj, the federation's president, stated that Iran will “boycott the United States but not the World Cup.”

The Iranian national team is preparing for the tournament, with plans to play friendly matches in Turkey. 

Iran's football team, Team Melli, is scheduled to play all three of their opening-round group matches in the US, but the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) is negotiating with FIFA to move them to Mexico due to security concerns. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 and is being co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed openness to hosting Iran's matches, which include games against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. However, FIFA has stated that it expects all teams to compete according to the original schedule, announced on December 6, 2025.

Iran's got friendlies lined up in Turkey - they'll face Nigeria on March 27 and Costa Rica on March 31 in Antalya, as part of a four-nation tournament originally planned for Jordan but relocated due to regional tensions.

“The national team is holding a training camp in Turkey, and we will also play two friendly matches there,” FFIRI President Taj was quoted as saying by the Fars News Agency on Wednesday.

“We will boycott America, but we will not boycott the World Cup.”

Mehdi Taj, the president of Iran's Football Federation, welcomed the women's national team back to Iran on Wednesday at the Turkish border. The team had a long journey from Australia, where they participated in the Women's Asian Cup. The Australian government offered asylum to the entire delegation due to safety concerns, and seven members initially accepted. However, only two players, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, ultimately decided to stay in Australia and are currently training with Brisbane Roar.

The players' decision to seek asylum was reportedly triggered by their refusal to sing the national anthem during a match, which led to Iranian state TV labeling them “wartime traitors.” The team faced intense scrutiny and pressure, with some players' families being summoned for interrogations.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed openness to hosting Iran's World Cup matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in June, pending FIFA's approval. “Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world, therefore we will wait to see what FIFA decides,” Sheinbaum said.

FIFA has stated it's in contact with Iran's football federation (FFIRI) but emphasized it's “looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025.”

Beau Busch, FIFPRO's Asia-Pacific president, emphasizes FIFA's responsibility to ensure safety at the World Cup. “FIFA have an institutional responsibility to protect human rights,” Busch told Reuters, stressing that player and staff safety should be the top priority.

“What's critical is that FIFA undertake a really comprehensive human rights impact assessment, and they assess to ensure that every single ⁠participant at the World Cup, every player, ⁠every fan, can be safe, and ‌that any risks are identified and mitigated effectively.”