Iran Football Federation has opened discussions with FIFA over the possible relocation of its matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup from the United States to Mexico.
The federation’s president, Mehdi Taj, confirmed on March 17, 2026, that the move is being considered due to security concerns linked to the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict.
According to Taj, the primary aim of the talks is to ensure the safety of Iranian players, officials, and supporters during the tournament, which is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across host nations including the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Iran has already qualified for the tournament and was drawn in Group G, where it is expected to face the Belgium national football team, Egypt national football team, and New Zealand national football team.
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The team’s fixtures are currently scheduled to be played in cities such as Los Angeles and Seattle. However, Iranian officials argue that shifting those matches to Mexico—also one of the official host countries—could help mitigate security and logistical risks arising from heightened geopolitical tensions.
As of now, FIFA has not issued an official response, and the tournament schedule remains unchanged.
The development underscores growing concerns about how global conflicts could impact major international sporting events, particularly one as prominent as the World Cup.
