Iran negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup games to Mexico from US [View all]
Source: CNN Sports/Reuters
Updated Mar 17, 2026, 7:19 AM ET
PUBLISHED Mar 17, 2026, 7:18 AM ET
(Reuters) - Iran’s soccer federation is in discussions with FIFA about moving their World Cup matches to Mexico from the United States due to concerns about the safety of their players, Iranian soccer president Mehdi Taj said on Monday.
Iran’s participation in the global soccer showpiece was thrown into doubt after co-hosts the United States launched joint air strikes at the country along with Israel.
US President Donald Trump said last week that Iran were welcome to participate but suggested it might not be appropriate for them to play in the US “for their own life and safety.” “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” said Taj in a post on the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account.
“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.” Soccer’s global governing body FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/17/sport/iran-fifa-move-world-cup-games-mexico
Iran is in Group G and Group G and has 2 matches at So Fi in Inglewood, California and one at Lumen in Seattle, Washington.
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