Iran Requests Mexico as Venue for World Cup Matches Amid Security Concerns
Iran's football federation asks FIFA to move World Cup matches from US to Mexico due to security concerns following joint US-Israel air strikes.
FIFA rejects Iran's request to relocate World Cup matches from US to Mexico, citing original schedule...
Iran's football federation is in talks with FIFA to move their World Cup matches from the US to Mexico due to safety concerns for their players. The discussions come after the US and Israel launched joint air strikes on Iran, putting the team's participation in doubt. Iranian football president Mehdi Taj stated that they won't travel to the US if their safety can't be guaranteed.
Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has expressed openness to hosting Iran's matches if FIFA approves. Iran is scheduled to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and Egypt in Seattle. If the move is approved, it would be a significant logistical shift for 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,” said Taj in a post on the Iranian embassy in Mexico's X account.
“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran's World Cup matches in Mexico.”
FIFA hasn't confirmed any specifics about Iran's request to move their World Cup matches from the US to Mexico. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum says they'd host Iran's matches if FIFA agrees.
“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including IR Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025,” a FIFA spokesperson told Reuters.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed her country's willingness to host Iran's World Cup matches if FIFA gives the green light. This comes after Iran requested to move their matches from the US to Mexico due to safety concerns following joint air strikes by the US and Israel.
Sheinbaum stated that Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with all countries and will wait for FIFA's decision. Iran's football federation is in talks with FIFA to relocate their matches, citing concerns over player safety in the US.
Iran is looking to make a huge logistical switch for the 2026 World Cup. The country secured a spot in the tournament by topping their group in Asian qualifying last year and was set to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. However, due to safety concerns following joint US-Israel air strikes, Iran's football federation is in talks with FIFA to move their matches to Mexico.
Iran's opponents in Group G are Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. The tournament kicks off on June 11 in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed openness to hosting Iran's matches if FIFA approves.
The LA and Seattle match organizers haven't commented yet, likely due to it being outside US business hours.
Moving Iran's matches to Mexico would be a big logistical shift, but it's not unheard of to relocate matches for security or geopolitical reasons.
Scotland played their World Cup qualifier against Belarus in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, last September, winning 2-0. UEFA relocated the match due to Belarus' role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
India and Pakistan only play each other at neutral venues in cricket tournaments due to their tense political relations. Last year's Champions Trophy saw India refuse to travel to Pakistan, so they played all their matches in Dubai instead.
Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup is uncertain after FIFA rejected their request to move matches from the US to Mexico due to security concerns. Iran's football federation had asked FIFA to relocate their group stage matches to Mexico, citing safety concerns after US President Donald Trump stated he couldn't guarantee the security of the Iranian team. However, FIFA insists the tournament will proceed as scheduled, with Iran set to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and Egypt in Seattle.
If FIFA's decision stands, it's unlikely Iran will participate in the tournament while at war with one of the co-hosts, the US. Iran's sports minister previously stated it wasn't possible for the team to participate after the US and Israel launched airstrikes against Tehran, killing the supreme leader.
The AFC says it hasn't received any word from Iran about withdrawing from the World Cup.
“At the end of the day, it's the federation who should decide if they're playing, and as of today, the federation has told us that they are going to the World Cup,” AFC General Secretary Windsor John told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.
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