The president of Iran’s football federation is negotiating with FIFA the transfer of the team’s matches in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, which should be played in the United States, to Mexico. The reason is the war in the Middle East, according to the Iranian embassy in Mexico.
“Given that (American President, (Donald) Trump has clearly stated that he cannot guarantee the safety of the Iranian national team, we will definitely not go to the United States,” said leader Mehdi Taj in statements reproduced on the diplomatic legation’s X (formerly Twitter) social network account.
“We are in negotiations with FIFA for Iran’s World Cup matches to be played in Mexico,” he added.
Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abdolfazl Pasandideh, denounced on Monday (16) “the lack of cooperation from the American government in issuing visas and providing logistical support” to the Iranian delegation before the World Cup.
In a statement posted on the embassy’s website, he added that he also suggested to FIFA that Iran’s matches be moved from the United States to Mexico.”
Iran is part of Group G of the 2026 World Cup, in which it will face Belgium and New Zealand in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle.
Their base camp during the tournament, which will be played from June 11 to July 19, is scheduled to be in Tucson, Arizona.
Trump stated that Iran should not participate in the World Cup “for its own safety”, in the middle of a war in the Middle East.
The president made these statements just two days after telling FIFA president Gianni Infantino that Iranian players would be welcome, despite the conflict.
“It will be the biggest and safest sporting event in the history of the United States. All players, officials and fans will be treated like the ‘STARS’ they are!”, he stated on his Truth Social platform.
Israel and the United States launched a broad offensive against Iran on February 28, which responded with waves of missiles and drones against Israeli territory and against American targets in countries in the region.
