Iran in talks with FIFA to move 2026 World Cup group games to Mexico | OneFootball

Iran’s football federation is negotiating with FIFA to relocate their three 2026 World Cup group matches to Mexico. The move is intended to ensure the team can participate.

Federation president Mehdi Taj said, via the Iranian embassy’s X account in Mexico, that because US president Donald Trump had said he could not guarantee the national team’s safety, Iran would certainly not travel to the United States. He added that talks with FIFA were under way to stage Iran’s games there.

On Monday the Asian Football Confederation said it had received no withdrawal notice from Iran after Trump’s comments.

Also on Monday, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, criticised what he called a lack of US government cooperation over visas and logistical support for the delegation.

Iran are in Group G, with group fixtures scheduled in Los Angeles against New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June, then in Seattle against Egypt on 26 June.

Source: L'Équipe