FIFA declines Iran’s request to move World Cup matches from the U.S. to Mexico amid ongoing conflict

FIFA has officially denied a request from the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran to move its 2026 World Cup group stage matches from the United States to Mexico.

The decision, verified by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, cites significant logistical impediments as the primary reason for maintaining the original event structure.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has constantly reaffirmed that there's no indispensable plan for the venues and that all matches will do according to the original draw.

The request for relocation was driven by heightened geopolitical pressures and safety enterprises for Iranian players following a series of public exchanges between Tehran and Washington. President Donald Trump suggested on social media that Iran's participation might be a threat to their own safety, leading Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali to advise that the country’s participation remains uncertain unless the institutions are moved.

Despite Mexico’s original amenability to host the games as aco-host of the event, FIFA determined that shifting the venues would make the functional logistics too complicated to manage.

Iran is presently placed in Group G and is listed to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by a final group- stage match against Egypt in Seattle between June 15 and June 27.

While the verbal arguments between the two nations continue, FIFA remains married to the current schedule, which includes matches across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The governing body continues to emphasize that the event will do as planned anyhow of the external political geography.