Iran in talks to move all their 2026 World Cup games to another country

Iran are negotiating with FIFA to move all of its World Cup games from the USA to Mexico.

A post from the country’s embassy in Mexico confirmed that talks were being held.

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Quotes attributed to Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, read: “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 currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”

Iran’s participation at the 2026 World Cup has been in doubt since the United States and Israel’s attacks on the nation, which began on February 28.

Iran have already qualified for the tournament and have been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.

They are due to play two games in Los Angeles and then Egypt in Seattle.

Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara are the three host cities in Mexico for the tournament.

It is due to host 13 games, including the opener between the co-hosts and South Africa on June 11.

There have already been concerns about security at games in Mexico, particularly in Guadalajara, following cartel violence across the country.

talkSPORT has approached FIFA for comment.

What did Donald Trump say?

The uncertainty followed American and Israeli attacks on Iran, which killed leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

It triggered retaliatory strikes from Iran across the Middle East.

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Taj specifically referenced Trump’s comments about Iranian player safety at the tournament.

“The Iran national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” the US president said on his Truth Social platform.

Those comments on March 12 came just days after Trump gave assurances to FIFA president Gianni Infantino that Iran would be welcome at the tournament.

We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino wrote on Instagram.

“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.

“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that football unites the world.”

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Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, had previously stated that they would ‘under no circumstances’ participate at the World Cup.

Donyamali told state television: “Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under ‌no circumstances ‌can we ⁠participate in the World Cup. Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist.

“Given the malicious actions they have carried ‌out against Iran, they have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands ‌of our people. Therefore, we ⁠certainly cannot have such a presence.”