Iran wants to move its World Cup matches from US to Mexico
FILE-Iran fans wave their national flag during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group A football match between Iran and the United Arab Emirates at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on March 20, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty
The ongoing war with Iran is spilling over into the World Cup as some Iranian officials are considering moving the country’s matches from the United States to Mexico.
An Iranian ambassador and embassy in Mexico City told the Associated Press that the country was negotiating with FIFA to move Iran’s three group-stage matches to Mexico after President Donald Trump last week referenced safety concerns as a reason for Iran’s soccer team not to attend the 48-nation tournament.
RELATED: Iran cannot compete in World Cup because of US attacks, Iranian sports minister says
Citing comments posted March 16 on the embassy website, the AP noted that Iran’s Ambassador to Mexico Abolfazl Pasandideh encouraged FIFA to move the team’s games to Mexico, stating that the U.S. was not cooperative on visas.
Meanwhile, an Iranian government spokesman and the soccer team itself told the AP recently that it is up to FIFA and the U.S. to keep the team safe during the World Cup. The team’s planned training camp is in Tucson, Arizona.
Mexico’s president addresses Iran World Cup games
What they’re saying: In a news briefing on March 17, President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the matter, telling reporters, "They are discussing with FIFA whether it’s feasible because they were going to hold the (games) in the United States," she said. "They are looking into whether they can hold (them) in Mexico, and we will inform you when the time comes. Mexico has relations with all countries in the world. We’ll see what FIFA decides and then we’ll announce it," the Associated Press reported.
RELATED: Trump administration lifts Iran's visa ban for World Cup draw
FIFA releases statement on Iran
The other side:
In a statement obtained by the Associated Press, 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 Dec. 6, 2025."
Iran was set to play matches in World Cup in U.S.
The backstory:
Iran was due to play two matches in Los Angeles in June, against New Zealand and Belgium, before facing Egypt in Seattle in their final group stage match on June 26.
The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. However, Iran's participation was uncertain after the U.S. and Israel began launching airstrikes on Feb. 28.
Last week, President Donald Trrump said that the Iran team was welcome at the World Cup despite the ongoing war in the Middle East but "I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety."
But Iran’s national soccer team opposed Trump’s comments in an Instagram post from the team’s official account, saying in part, "no one can exclude" it from playing in the men’s World Cup in the United States.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by previous FOX Local reporting and the Associated Press. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.