Iran’s football federation has demanded that its national team’s 2026 FIFA World Cup matches be moved from the United States to Mexico, citing security concerns amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, stated that Iran will boycott playing in the U.S. but remains committed to participating in the tournament.
The request directly challenges the current match schedule, which places Iran in Group F with games set for Los Angeles on June 15 and 21 against New Zealand and Belgium, followed by a match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. Taj cited recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested the Iranian team should not travel to the U.S. “for their own life and safety,” as a key reason for the boycott threat. “When the president has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Taj said in a video statement.
The federation has formally engaged with FIFA to seek a venue change. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum indicated Mexico would be open to hosting the matches, noting the country’s diplomatic relations with all nations and awaiting FIFA’s decision. However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reiterated the organization’s position that the tournament must “go ahead as scheduled” across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Infantino noted that Trump had previously assured him the Iranian team would be welcome, creating a conflicting public narrative.
This development follows a separate security incident earlier this month in Australia, where Iranian women’s football team members were involved in a vehicle collision allegedly targeting their bus. Taj also referenced this event as part of the broader safety concerns for Iranian teams abroad.
The standoff places FIFA in a difficult position, balancing operational planning for the first World Cup hosted across three nations with the political and security complexities raised by a participating federation. Iran’s stance highlights how international tensions can intersect with global sporting events. The outcome will depend on FIFA’s final ruling on the relocation request, a decision that could set a significant precedent for political and security-related venue adjustments in major tournaments.
