Iran ‘negotiating’ with FIFA over moving World Cup games to Mexico: embassy
The Hindu
Iran is negotiating with FIFA to move its World Cup matches to Mexico due to safety concerns amid ongoing conflict.
Iran’s football federation is “negotiating” with FIFA to relocate the country’s first-round matches at the World Cup to Mexico from the United States, citing the conflict in West Asia, Iran’s embassy in Mexico said on Monday (March 16, 2026).
Iran’s participation at this summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been thrown into doubt since the war began late last month.
“When (U.S. President Donald) Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj said in remarks posted on the embassy’s X account.
“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”
Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle.
The team’s base camp for the tournament is currently slated to be located in Tucson, Arizona.
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