JAKARTA - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that FIFA has rejected Iran's request to move the 2026 World Cup from the United States (US) to Mexico.
Previously, the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) had applied for the relocation of the match. Security was the main reason following concerns about the conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel.
Iran's application was then responded to by FIFA, which assessed that a short-term venue change was not possible.
"FIFA has finally decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original locations. Relocation would make the logistics too complicated and this decision was taken by FIFA," Sheinbaum said at a press conference in Mexico City, quoted by Sportbible on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026 in three host countries, namely the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This tournament will be the first edition with 48 participating teams divided into 12 groups.
Iran is one of the teams that have secured their tickets to the final round since March 2025, after finishing as group champions in the Asian Zone Qualification.
Furthermore, Iran will be included in Group G along with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. According to the schedule, all Group G matches will still be held in the United States.
Iran will begin their journey against New Zealand on June 16, 2026 at the SoFi Stadium, California. After that, they face Belgium on June 21, 2026 at the same venue.
The last match of the group stage will bring Iran and Egypt together at Lumen Field, Seattle, on June 27, 2026.
Previously, Mexico had expressed its willingness to host Iran's matches. This came after a statement from US President Donald Trump who assessed Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup as risky for safety.
However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino ensured that there was no change in plans. After meeting with Iranian players, coaches, and officials in Turkey on March 31, 2026, Infantino confirmed that everything was going normally.
"Iran will be at the 2026 World Cup. We are very happy because they are a very, very strong team, I am very happy. The match will be played in the place it should be, according to the draw results."
"I've seen the team, I've spoken to the players and the coach. So, everything is fine," Gianni Infantino said on a separate occasion.
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