Fifa has dismissed suggestions that Iran’s matches at this summer’s World Cup be shifted from the United States to Mexico, despite safety concerns raised by Iranian officials.
The president of Iran’s football federation had earlier indicated that talks were ongoing to move the fixtures, citing fears for the players’ security amid escalating hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran.
On Tuesday, however, Fifa issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to the existing schedule, saying it looked forward to nations “competing as per the match schedule.”
The tournament, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, runs from 11 June to 19 July. Iran are slated to play New Zealand on 16 June and Belgium on 21 June, both in Los Angeles, before meeting Egypt in Seattle on 27 June.
Last week, US President Donald Trump remarked that while Iran are “welcome to the World Cup,” he did not believe “it is appropriate” for them to attend “for their own life and safety.”
Responding to those comments, Iranian federation president Mehdi Taj wrote on a social media account linked to the Iranian embassy in Mexico: “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America. We are negotiating with Fifa to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”
A Fifa spokesperson stressed: “Fifa is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including Iran, to discuss planning for the World Cup. Fifa is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025.”
Iran, who have qualified for their fourth consecutive finals, opted not to withdraw last summer when the US bombed three nuclear facilities in the country. A recent post on the national team’s Telegram account insisted that “Fifa is the organiser of the World Cup and not any single country,” adding that “the country that should be removed is the one that merely carries the title of host but does not have the ability to ensure security for the teams participating in this event.”
Trump has previously said he “does not care” if Iran take part, though Fifa president Gianni Infantino later confirmed the US leader told him Iran are “welcome to compete” despite the ongoing conflict. Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali countered that “under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup.”
Precedents for Moving Matches Relocating fixtures for political or security reasons is not unprecedented. Belarus, for example, have staged competitive home games in Hungary due to their backing of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including a World Cup qualifier against Scotland last year.
In cricket, India and Pakistan only meet at neutral venues in ICC tournaments because of political tensions. India refused to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, while Pakistan played their recent T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.
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