Iran has requested to move the match venue to Mexico amid the war between the US and Israel and is awaiting a response from FIFA.
Published April 5, 2026
Iran’s sports minister said the country’s participation in the next World Cup will be uncertain unless FIFA moves matches from the United States to Mexico.
The Iranian Football Federation (IFF) has asked Iran’s world governing body to change the match schedule, but has not yet received a response, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Sunday.
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
“If (the request to FIFA) is accepted, Iran’s participation in the World Cup will be guaranteed,” Donyamali told Turkiye’s Anadolu news agency.
Israel and the United States, which together with Canada and Mexico are co-hosting the games in June and July, launched attacks on Iran on February 28, sparking conflict across the Middle East.
The Iranian government responded to the U.S. and Israeli attacks by firing waves of missiles and drones at Israel, several military bases in the Middle East where U.S. forces operate, and infrastructure in the Gulf.
Iran, the first team from Asia to qualify for the World Cup, will play all of its group stage matches on the West Coast of the United States.
Less than two weeks after the war began, US President Donald Trump said he welcomed Iran to his country for the games, but added: “For their own lives and safety, I don’t really think it’s appropriate for them to be there.”
In response to President Trump’s remarks, the Iranian soccer team said in a social media post: “No one can exclude the Iranian national team from the World Cup.”
Iran’s head of soccer, Mehdi Taj, continued: “Now that President Trump has made it clear that he cannot guarantee the safety of the Iranian national team, we will definitely not go to the United States.”
“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to host Iran’s matches at the Mexico World Cup,” Taj said.
But days later, FIFA rejected Iran’s request, saying all World Cup matches would be played according to the schedule announced last year, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed that the move was not planned.
“The match will be played as scheduled according to the draw,” Infantino said after a meeting with IFF vice-president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi on Tuesday.
Although verbal exchanges between tournament organizers and Iranian football officials have cast doubt on Team Melli’s position in the tournament, Donyamali said Iranian players continue to prepare and the team is “ready for the World Cup.”
He called on FIFA to ensure that the necessary safety measures for Iranian players and support staff are provided by the World Cup host nation, and criticized President Trump for contradictory statements.
“He is making statements that are morally and ethically unbalanced,” Donyamali said.
“In these circumstances, it is highly unlikely that Iran will participate in the World Cup matches to be played in the United States, but our government will make the final decision, provided the relevant security is provided.”
The World Cup begins June 11 in Mexico, with Canada and the United States hosting their first match the following day. The finals will be held on July 19th in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York.
Team Melli is scheduled to play New Zealand in their opening match in Los Angeles on June 16, before playing Belgium six days later. The final game of the group is scheduled for June 26th in Seattle.
