Iran’s football authorities are reportedly in discussions with FIFA to relocate their scheduled World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, citing security concerns for the national team.
Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj confirmed on Monday that the request follows recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who indicated that while Iran would be allowed to participate in the tournament, ensuring the safety of the Iranian team in the United States could be challenging.
Responding to the statement, Taj said Iran would not risk sending its players to the U.S. under uncertain security conditions.
“If the safety of our national team cannot be guaranteed, we will not travel to the United States,” he stated in a message shared عبر the Iranian Embassy in Mexico’s official social media account.
“We are currently in discussions with FIFA to host Iran’s matches in Mexico.”
FIFA has not yet issued an official response to the request.
Uncertainty Amid Rising Tensions
The situation comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, as Iran remains engaged in conflict involving one of the tournament’s co-host nations. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin on June 11, with matches scheduled across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Iran is currently slated to play two group-stage matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
However, Iran’s Sports Minister recently suggested that participation itself could be at risk following U.S. airstrikes conducted alongside Israel targeting Tehran. The strikes reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, further escalating the crisis.
Possible Withdrawal Still Unconfirmed
Despite growing speculation, no official withdrawal has been announced.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed that it has not received any formal notification from Iran regarding withdrawal from the tournament.
AFC General Secretary Windsor John, speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur, emphasized that the final decision rests with Iran’s football federation.
“As of now, the federation has confirmed that they intend to participate in the World Cup,” he said.
Implications for FIFA
If Iran ultimately decides to withdraw, it would mark a rare and unprecedented development in modern World Cup history. FIFA would then be required to identify a replacement team on short notice, potentially disrupting tournament planning.
For now, discussions continue as the global football community closely watches how the situation unfolds.
Source: Agencies (CNA)
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