Iran negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup matches to Mexico, says football president

MEXICO CITY: Iran's football federation is in discussions with FIFA to relocate their 2026 World Cup matches to Mexico instead of the United States, citing concerns over the safety of Iranian players, Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj has revealed.

Iran's participation in the upcoming World Cup had been cast into uncertainty after co-hosts the United States carried out joint airstrikes on the country alongside Israel on February 28. The development raised serious questions about whether the Iranian national team would be able to compete in matches scheduled on American soil.

Trump's safety remarks fuel Iranian concerns

US President Donald Trump said last week that Iran was welcome to take part in the tournament but suggested it might not be appropriate for them to play in the US "for their own life and safety."

Responding to those remarks, Taj made his position clear in a post shared on the Iranian embassy in Mexico's X account.

"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.

"We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran's World Cup matches in Mexico," he added.

FIFA yet to confirm specifics

FIFA, the global governing body for football, did not confirm any specifics regarding the negotiations. The organisation stated that it is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including Iran, to discuss planning matters related to the tournament.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marking the first time three nations will jointly stage the tournament. The development puts FIFA in a delicate diplomatic position, as it must balance the geopolitical tensions between Iran and the US while ensuring the smooth conduct of the global showpiece event.

Iran's push to have their group-stage matches moved to Mexican venues reflects the deepening rift between Tehran and Washington following the military strikes earlier this year. The Iranian football federation's stance suggests that without adequate security guarantees, the team will not set foot on American territory for the competition.

The outcome of these negotiations between Iran and FIFA could set a significant precedent for how the world's most-watched sporting event navigates the intersection of international politics and sport. With the tournament drawing closer, the resolution of this issue remains a key point of interest for football fans and diplomatic observers alike.