World football governing body FIFA says the current schedule for June-July World Cup has not changed despite efforts by Iran to negotiate a change of host country for its matches.
Iran, housed in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt will play their matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.
However, due the current war involving the USA, host of the tournament, Israel and Iran, US President, Donald Trump suggested the safety of Iran football team and fans cannot be guaranteed if they were to participate in 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.
Iranian officials have previously said it is up to FIFA and the US to keep the team safe during the World Cup.
The embassy posted a statement attributed to Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj saying Iran wants to move its group stage matches to Mexico to ensure the safety of players and officials.
“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” the statement said. “We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”
However, a FIFA Spokesperson has downplayed any notion of imminent changes to the tournament schedule in an email to Joy Sports’ Muftawu Nabila Abdulai.
“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including IR Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025.”
The statement suggests that, as it stands, there are no confirmed plans to move Iran’s matches away from their designated venues.
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