Their participation at this summer’s finals has been thrown into doubt since the war began
Mexico is co-hosting the biggest World Cup in history, along with the United States and Canada, from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Photo: AFP
MEXICO CITY:
Iran’s football federation is “negotiating” with FIFA to relocate the country’s first-round matches at the World Cup to Mexico from the United States, citing the conflict in the Middle East, Iran’s football federation said.
Iran’s participation at this summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been thrown into doubt since the war began late last month.
“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,” Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj said on Monday in remarks posted on the X account of Iran’s embassy in Mexico.
“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”
While world football’s governing body confirmed to AFP it has been in contact with the Iranian FA, FIFA did not suggest such a rescheduling was on the cards.
“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including IR Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” the spokesperson told AFP.
“FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025.”
Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle.
The team’s base camp for the tournament is currently slated to be located in Tucson, Arizona.
Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, on Monday denounced “the US government’s lack of cooperation regarding visa issuance and the provision of logistical support” for the Iranian delegation ahead of the World Cup, in a statement published on the embassy’s website.
He added he had also “suggested to FIFA that Iran’s matches be moved from the United States to Mexico.”
Trump triggered uproar last week after stating that while Iran’s football team would be “welcome” in the United States, they should not travel to the tournament “for their own life and safety”.
Trump’s comments came after FIFA president Gianni Infantino had given assurances the US leader had promised him the Iranian team would be welcome.
Iran hit back at Trump’s comments saying “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup”.
Iran were the second Asian team after Japan to qualify for the World Cup, securing their place almost a year ago as they topped their qualifying group.
But Iran’s place at the tournament was thrown into question after the United States and Israel launched a massive offensive against the Islamic Republic, which responded with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israeli territory and American targets across the Middle East.
Should Iran not take part in the World Cup, it is not yet clear which country might replace them.
‘Prepare for a World Cup’
New Zealand are continuing to prepare for a World Cup opener against Iran but will be ready to adjust if the Middle East nation does not take part, coach Darren Bazeley said.
Iran’s first match is against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles. The Iranians are also grouped with Belgium and Egypt at the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Iran’s sports minister said last week it was impossible for the team to participate after the U.S. launched airstrikes alongside Israel against Tehran and killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran were welcome to participate but that he believed it was not appropriate that they be there “for their own life and safety”.
“Right now we’re still continuing as though we’re playing Iran,” Bazeley told New Zealand media.
“They’re the team that qualified and we got drawn against them. That’s still the fixture and until we get told otherwise, we’ll continue with that preparation.
“Obviously, if things change, then we’ll deal with that, but that would be (people at) a higher level than myself involved in those discussions.”
New Zealand Football boss Andrew Pragnell told local media they were taking security around their matches very seriously but had not heard any updates from FIFA about heightened threats. AFP/Reuters
