Iran wants to move its World Cup matches from US to Mexico

GENEVA (AP) — The public wrangling between Iran, FIFA and US President Donald Trump over the narrative of playing at the World Cup in June shifted on Tuesday to Mexico where its diplomats suggested Iran’s football team could play its games.

The Iranian ambassador and embassy in Mexico City said the country was negotiating with FIFA to move Iran’s three group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico after Trump last week discouraged the team from attending the 48-nation tournament, citing safety concerns.

It was already unclear whether such talks were even happening before FIFA said such unprecedented changes in World Cup history were not planned to a match schedule agreed three months ago.

In a statement, FIFA said it is “in regular contact with all participating member associations, including (the Islamic Republic of) Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on December 6, 2025.”

The February 28 start of US and Israeli bombing of Iran that killed the Islamic republic’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior officials immediately cast doubt on the national soccer team going to play at least three World Cup games in the US, which is co-hosting the most watched global sports event with Mexico and Canada.

Iran’s football federation has not canceled its World Cup entry with FIFA, though official comments have variously suggested the US is unable or unwilling to ensure the delegation’s secure arrival and accommodation.

Since last week, Trump has variously said “I don’t really care” if the Iran team comes, that it was welcome and would be treated like all players as stars, and that the players’ safety was at risk.

In comments posted late Monday on the embassy website, Iran’s Ambassador to Mexico Abolfazl Pasandideh urged FIFA to move the team’s games to Mexico, saying the US was not cooperative on visas.

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