Following unprecedented US-Israeli airstrikes, Iranian officials are attempting to move their 2026 World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, citing profound security concerns.
Following the devastating US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure and the recent killing of Ali Khamenei, Iranian sports officials are actively pushing to relocate their 2026 World Cup matches away from the United States. According to the opposition-aligned Iran International, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali announced that Iran's ambassador to Mexico is lobbying to transfer the national team's games there. However, Donyamali acknowledged the move is highly unlikely to succeed since the tournament draw has already been finalized.
State-aligned media channel آخرین خبر echoed the government's fierce posture against the United States. Donyamali argued that global assemblies should have intervened in response to the war that America imposed on Iran, and stripped the country of its hosting rights. He heavily criticized the International Olympic Committee and FIFA for failing to condemn US behavior, complaining that while Muslim nations agree with Iran, their leaders act against the national interests of the people.
A significant dispute has emerged regarding the security of the Iranian team. Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj stated that no sane mind would accept sending the national team to America. In a joint social media post, head coach Amir Ghalenoei and the federation demanded the US be entirely removed as a host for failing to secure the participating teams. This demand followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who initially said that while the Iranian team would be welcomed, their presence was not appropriate for their own life and security. However, the news channel خبری پلاس|خبرفوری claimed Trump later retreated from this position, insisting the US will host the biggest and safest sporting event in history and that all players will be treated like stars.
Despite the geopolitical crisis, FIFA remains steadfast in its desire for Iran to compete. The news aggregator خبر فوری جنگ ایران reported and آخرین خبر corroborated recent comments from FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström. Reiterating the official stance, Grafström emphasized last week, "Our focus is on holding a safe World Cup with the presence of all participants."
The sources display a sharp contrast in framing the US hosting capabilities. State-aligned channels emphasize a narrative of victimization by an 'imposed war' and portray the US as dangerously unstable for the Iranian team, while opposition media highlights the contradictory statements from Iranian sports officials regarding their willingness and ability to attend.