Iran’s participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup has been thrown into uncertainty as the Iran Football Federation confirmed it is in discussions with FIFA to relocate its group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico over security concerns.
The development was disclosed Monday by Iran’s embassy in Mexico, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East that have raised fears about the safety of the Iranian national team.
Iran are scheduled to play their opening matches in the United States — facing New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before taking on Egypt in Seattle — with their base camp initially planned for Tucson, Arizona.
However, Iranian football authorities say those arrangements may change.
“When (US President Donald Trump) has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Iran Football Federation chief Mehdi Taj said in remarks shared via the embassy’s X account.
“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”
Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, also criticised what he described as a lack of cooperation from U.S. authorities regarding logistics and visa arrangements for the Iranian delegation.
“The US government’s lack of cooperation regarding visa issuance and the provision of logistical support” has complicated preparations, he said, adding that he had formally proposed relocating the matches to Mexico.
FIFA had not issued an immediate response to the request at the time of reporting.
The controversy intensified following remarks by Donald Trump, who said Iran’s team would be “welcome” in the United States but advised against travelling “for their own life and safety.”
The comments appeared to contradict earlier assurances relayed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who had indicated that the U.S. government would facilitate Iran’s participation.
Iranian officials have rejected any suggestion of exclusion from the tournament.
“No one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup,” the country stated in response.
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