The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) has initiated formal discussions with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) regarding a significant change for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. The federation is seeking to relocate all of Iran’s group stage matches from venues in the United States to Mexico.
This unprecedented request, as announced by the Iranian Embassy in Mexico, is primarily driven by escalating geopolitical tensions. Iran cites the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel in the Middle East as the core reason for its concern.
Iran has already secured its qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. However, for over two weeks, the Iranian delegation has reportedly expressed considerable reservations about participating in the tournament on U.S. soil. These concerns are rooted in alleged severe aerial attacks in the region by the United States and Israel, which they claim have resulted in casualties, including the death of top Iranian religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Further compounding Iran’s reluctance is a past statement attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump. Mehdi Taj, the head of Iranian football, referenced Trump’s previous remarks, where he allegedly indicated an inability to guarantee the safety of the Iranian national team during their matches in the United States. This historical context further solidifies Iran’s position against playing on American territory.
Consequently, these multifaceted concerns have spurred Iran to formally negotiate with FIFA for a transfer of its group stage fixtures to Mexico.
According to the initial tournament schedule, Iran was slated to compete against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by a match against Egypt in Seattle, all within the United States. The team’s accommodation and training facilities were also planned for Tucson, Arizona.
On March 16, Abolfazl Pasandideh, the Iranian Ambassador to Mexico, publicly criticized the U.S. government regarding its preparedness to host the Iranian contingent. In a statement released on the Iranian Embassy’s website in Mexico, Ambassador Pasandideh accused the U.S. of a profound lack of attention and an inability to adequately provide hospitality for the Iranian delegation and players in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup.
Ambassador Pasandideh explicitly stated, “The U.S. government has demonstrated a lack of attention in providing essential travel visas, insurance, and transportation support for the Iranian delegation and players ahead of the 2026 World Cup. We formally request FIFA to relocate all matches involving the Iranian team from U.S. territory to Mexico.”
Interestingly, in the preceding week, former U.S. President Trump had publicly affirmed that the U.S. would welcome the Iranian team to play on American soil. However, he also issued a cautionary remark, suggesting that Iranian players should not travel if their personal safety and lives were a primary concern. This warning was widely interpreted as reflecting potential concerns that players could face threats from the Iranian government targeting their families back home, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
