Iran Negotiating With FIFA to Move World Cup Matches From U.S. to Mexico

Iran cites safety concerns after Trump discourages team from attending tournament in the U.S.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:45pm

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Iran's embassy in Mexico says the country is in negotiations with FIFA to move its World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, citing safety concerns after President Donald Trump discouraged the Iranian national team from attending the tournament in the U.S.

Why it matters

This development highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Iran and the U.S., which have escalated in recent months. The potential relocation of World Cup matches would be an unprecedented move so close to the start of the tournament and could have significant logistical and financial implications.

The details

According to a statement from the Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj, Iran wants to move its group stage matches to Mexico to ensure the safety of players and officials. This comes after President Trump said he could not ensure the security of the Iranian national team. Iran is scheduled to play against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in the group stage, with the matches originally set to take place in Inglewood, California and Seattle.

  • The World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 16 to July 16, 2026.
  • Iran is scheduled to play its first group stage match against New Zealand on June 16.

The players

Mehdi Taj

President of the Iranian soccer federation.

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States who discouraged the Iranian national team from attending the World Cup in the U.S. due to safety concerns.

Gianni Infantino

President of FIFA, the international governing body of association football.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Mehdi Taj, President, Iranian soccer federation

“I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

— Donald Trump

“FIFA is the organizer of the World Cup. When warnings are issued at the highest level about the environment being unsafe for Iranian football players, this indicates that the host country apparently lacks the capacity and ability to provide security for such an important sporting event.”

— Esmail Baghaei, Spokesman, Iran Foreign Ministry

What’s next

FIFA has not yet commented on the negotiations with Iran regarding the potential relocation of matches. The governing body will need to make a decision on the matter in the coming weeks, as the World Cup is scheduled to begin in just three months.

The takeaway

This dispute over the location of Iran's World Cup matches highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Iran and the U.S., and the challenges FIFA faces in organizing a global tournament amid such complex international dynamics.