Iran’s football federation is exploring the possibility of relocating its 2026 World Cup fixtures from the United States to Mexico, Iranian Football President Mehdi Taj said on Tuesday.
Taj’s statement comes after the United States, alongside Israel, launched airstrikes on Iran, prompting uncertainty about the national team’s participation on American soil.
“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 in a post on the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account.
“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”
US President Donald Trump had earlier stated that Iran was welcome to participate in the tournament but suggested it might not be appropriate for them to play in the US “for their own life and safety.”
Iran qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup after topping their group in the third round of Asian qualifying last year.
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The 2026 tournament is scheduled to kick off on June 11 across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Iran is currently slated to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, facing Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand in Group G.
While FIFA has yet to comment on the potential relocation, the logistical implications of moving Iran’s matches would be significant, though precedent exists for altering match venues due to security or geopolitical issues.
Iran’s Sports Minister also indicated last week that participation would be impossible after the US-led airstrikes killed the country’s Supreme Leader.
An official withdrawal would mark a first in modern World Cup history and trigger urgent discussions within FIFA to identify a replacement team.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) stressed on Monday that it has received no formal notification from Iran regarding withdrawal.
“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.
