Following unprecedented military escalations with the United States, Iran is urging FIFA to transfer its 2026 World Cup matches from the US to Mexico, citing visa rejections and security warnings from US President Donald Trump.
Amid an unprecedented military escalation involving the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic, Iran's Football Federation is actively negotiating to transfer its 2026 World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico due to severe security concerns and logistical disputes.
According to Epoch Times Persian, a channel critical of the Iranian regime, the Iranian Football Federation is holding talks with FIFA as uncertainty over Iran's participation grows in the wake of intensifying geopolitical conflict. The request follows a major wave of military strikes, including US CENTCOM operations against Iranian targets and Iranian retaliatory attacks on US positions in the region.
Iranian officials have cited both security fears and diplomatic obstruction by Washington as reasons for the proposed venue change. DW Persian, a Western public broadcaster, reports that Abolfazl Pasandideh, the Islamic Republic's ambassador to Mexico, published a statement on Monday condemning "the non-cooperation of the US government in issuing visas and providing logistical support" for the Iranian delegation. Pasandideh confirmed that Tehran has formally proposed to FIFA that its matches be moved out of the United States.
The push for relocation is also driven by statements from US President Donald Trump. Diaspora opposition channel Iran International notes that Trump said the Iranian national football team is welcome to attend the tournament, "but I believe their presence is currently not appropriate for security reasons."
In response to these conditions, Mehdi Taj, President of the Iranian Football Federation, stated unequivocally, "Since Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot guarantee the security of the Iranian national team, we will definitely not travel to America."
While Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that Mexico has no problem hosting the Iranian matches if FIFA approves, the transfer appears highly unlikely to proceed. Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali acknowledged the proposal was a long shot, and according to Iran International, The Times of London has already reported that FIFA will not agree to move Iran's matches out of the United States.
Sources are uniform in reporting Iran's request and the respective comments from Iranian, Mexican, and US officials, though Iran International exclusively highlighted the likely rejection by FIFA via a secondary report from The Times of London. The backdrop of the recent intense military conflict provides necessary context for the 'escalating tensions and security concerns' cited by Epoch Times Persian.