FIFA rejects Iran’s bid to move World Cup games to Mexico

FIFA rejected Iran’s request to relocate three group-stage matches from the U.S. to Mexico, reaffirming the existing World Cup schedule.foxnews
Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj said the team won’t travel to the U.S. after Trump questioned their safety amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.aljazeera
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country would welcome hosting Iran’s games, but FIFA cited sold tickets and finalized broadcast deals as barriers.sabcnews

Iran Asks FIFA to Move World Cup Matches to Mexico as Safety Dispute Escalates

Iran’s football federation is negotiating with FIFA to relocate its three 2026 World Cup group stage matches from the United States to co-host Mexico, but the global governing body on Tuesday rejected the request, saying it expects all 48 teams to compete according to the existing schedule.

FIFA Holds Firm on Schedule

“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” the organization said in a statement. “FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025.”bolavip

The request originated from the Iranian embassy in Mexico City, which posted a statement from Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj. “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot guarantee the safety of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Taj said. “We are currently in negotiations with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”yahoo

Sources told The Guardian that the primary reason for denying the request was the logistical and ticketing complications a relocation would create, as tickets have already been sold and broadcast and sponsorship agreements finalized.yahoo

Sheinbaum Open to Hosting

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday that her country would have no problem hosting Iran’s matches if FIFA approves the move. Iran is currently scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, before closing group play against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle.sabcnews

The dispute traces back to U.S.-Israeli airstrikes against Iran that began on February 28, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered a wider regional conflict. Iran’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali initially said on state television that participation was impossible “given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader.”mynewsla

Mixed Signals From All Sides

President Trump has sent contradictory messages, telling Politico “I really don’t care” if Iran plays, while also posting on Truth Social that “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said after meeting Trump that the U.S. president “reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament.”iranintl

Iran’s national team struck a defiant tone on Instagram, declaring that “no one can exclude” them from the tournament. The federation has not withdrawn its World Cup entry, and a further update is expected at the FIFA congress in Vancouver on April 30.cbc