US EditionIran negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup games to Mexico from US
Iran seeks to relocate its 2026 World Cup group matches to Mexico due to safety concerns amid Middle East conflict, with talks ongoing less than three months before kickoff.
- Iran's football federation is in talks with FIFA to move its first-round World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, with officials confirming these discussions on Mar 17, 2026.
- After recent strikes across the region, Iranian officials say Iran’s push follows U.S. and Israeli strikes and Tehran's missile responses that raised security concerns, citing U.S. President Donald Trump's safety warnings last week.
- According to the current schedule, Iran are set to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle with their base camp slated for Tucson, Arizona, and moving games would be unprecedented less than three months before the World Cup starting June 11.
- Iran's embassy in Mexico and Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran's ambassador to Mexico, urged FIFA to relocate matches, criticizing U.S. visa issues, while FIFA had not immediately responded and New Zealand officials doubted the move.
- Viewed broadly, the stakes are high because Iran is a nation of more than 90 million people with seven World Cup qualifications, and its participation has been in doubt since the war began last month.
244 Articles
244 Articles
Will Iran come to the U.S. for World Cup? Here’s what they want
Iran has asked FIFA to relocate its 2026 World Cup games out of the United States, citing a social media post by President Donald Trump that cast doubt on the safety of the Iranian national team.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday that her country is ready to host Iran's first-round match at the 2026 World Cup if necessary due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Iran wants to move its World Cup matches from U.S. to Mexico. FIFA is sticking to its schedule
The public wrangling between Iran, FIFA and U.S. President Donald Trump over the narrative of playing in the World Cup shifted on Tuesday to Mexico where President Claudia Sheinbaum seemed open to a suggestion by Islamic Republic diplomats that Iran’s games in June be moved to her country.
The open dispute between Iran, FIFA and U.S. President Donald Trump over the World Cup moved Tuesday to Mexico, where President Claudia Sheinbaum was receptive to the suggestion of diplomats from the Islamic Republic to bring Iran's scheduled matches to her country in June.
ABC FOX Montana
Mexico prepared to host Iran World Cup games, says president
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that her country is prepared to host Iran's first-round matches at the 2026 World Cup if needed due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
