The Iranian Football Federation has initiated formal negotiations with FIFA to transfer its 2026 World Cup group stage matches from the United States to Mexico, citing substantial security apprehensions and logistical complications. This diplomatic maneuver follows controversial statements from former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the safety of Iranian athletes on American soil.
Iran’s participation in the prestigious tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, has encountered significant uncertainty amidst escalating Middle Eastern tensions. The situation deteriorated when Trump publicly declared that the Iranian national team should reconsider their travel plans “for their own life and safety,” despite previously extending welcome through FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Mehdi Taj, President of Iran’s Football Federation, explicitly stated through the Iranian Embassy in Mexico’s official channels: “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America. We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”
Iran’s scheduled matches include confrontations with New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by a crucial game against Egypt in Seattle. The team’s designated training base in Tucson, Arizona, now faces potential abandonment.
Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s Ambassador to Mexico, has formally criticized the U.S. government’s alleged lack of cooperation regarding visa processing and logistical support for the Iranian delegation. The ambassador confirmed having personally proposed to FIFA the relocation of Iran’s matches to Mexican venues.
The geopolitical context underscores these developments, with recent military engagements between the United States, Israel, and Iran exacerbating diplomatic tensions. Iran has emphatically asserted that “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup,” reflecting their determination to compete despite political challenges.
FIFA has not yet issued an official response to these negotiation requests or the surrounding controversy, leaving the football world awaiting resolution of this unprecedented international sports diplomacy dilemma.