Mexico city: Iran's football federation is in discussions with FIFA regarding the possibility of relocating its World Cup 2026 matches from the United States to Mexico. This move comes amid concerns for the safety of Iranian players, as stated by Mehdi Taj, the president of Iran's football federation.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the discussions were prompted by statements from US President Donald Trump, who indicated that he could not guarantee the security of the Iranian national team on American soil. Taj expressed that under these circumstances, Iran is unwilling to send its team to the United States, instead seeking to have their World Cup matches held in Mexico.

The Iranian sports minister underscored the gravity of the situation, noting the recent US and Israeli air attacks on Iran, which resulted in the deaths of the country's supreme leader and several key political and military figures. This conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, has escalated significantly, affecting Iran's decision to request a venue change.

Despite President Trump's assurance that the Iranian team is welcome to participate in the tournament, he acknowledged that it might not be safe for them to compete in the US. Iran, having qualified first from Asia for the 48-team tournament scheduled across the US, Canada, and Mexico, was initially set to play two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

Iran secured its qualification to the global event on March 25, 2025. However, with the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the war now in its third week, Iran is actively seeking alternatives to ensure the safety and participation of its national team in the upcoming tournament.