FIFA Rejects Iran's Request to Move 2026 World Cup Matches from USA to Mexico

FIFA rejected Iran's request to move its 2026 World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, with the governing body stating it intends to keep the tournament calendar unchanged, according to reporting by SIC Notícias and RTP published on March 17, 2026. The decision came after Iran sought to relocate its group-stage fixtures citing safety concerns about competing on American soil. Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum had publicly offered to host the matches, adding diplomatic weight to Iran's appeal. FIFA's refusal effectively closes the door on any venue change for the Iranian national team ahead of the tournament. The standoff has drawn criticism from European officials and prominent figures in football, raising broader questions about the safety of players and supporters traveling to the United States for the competition.

Sheinbaum offers Mexico as alternative host Claudia Sheinbaum, who has served as Mexico's president since 2024, stated publicly that Mexico was ready to host all of Iran's World Cup matches in place of the United States, according to Franceinfo and Le Parisien. Her offer lent official governmental backing to Iran's relocation request and signaled Mexico's willingness to absorb additional fixtures beyond those already assigned to it as a co-host nation. The offer was framed as a practical solution given the political tensions between Iran and the United States. Mexico is one of three co-host nations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Canada and the United States. Sheinbaum's public statement added pressure on FIFA to reconsider its position, though the governing body ultimately declined to act on the request.

Löw calls playing in a country "at war" dangerous Joachim Löw, who managed the German national team from 2006 until 2021 and led Germany to the 2014 FIFA World Cup title, warned that the situation in the United States posed genuine risks for participating nations, according to N-tv. „Playing in a country that is at war is even more dangerous” — Joachim Löw via N-tv Löw's remarks reflected a broader unease among football figures about the security environment surrounding the tournament. Separately, a European official raised similar concerns directly with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. According to Die Welt, the EU Commissioner for Sport asked Infantino directly to provide safety assurances for those traveling to the World Cup but received no response. The absence of any reply from Infantino drew particular attention given the scale of European participation expected at the tournament.

New Zealand presses on with Iran preparations While the diplomatic dispute over venues continued, New Zealand's national team confirmed it was still preparing to face Iran at the World Cup, according to Reuters. The team's coach stated that preparations were ongoing, signaling that at least one of Iran's opponents was treating the fixture as proceeding as scheduled in the United States. New Zealand's continued preparations suggest that Iran's group-stage opponents are not adjusting their planning in response to the relocation request. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams, expanded from the 32-team format used since 1998. The United States previously co-hosted the World Cup in 1994. Iran has qualified for multiple editions of the tournament and has a history of navigating politically sensitive international sporting events. FIFA's position, as reported by RTP, is that it hopes to keep the calendar unchanged, suggesting the governing body views the matter as settled despite the ongoing public pressure from Iran, Mexico, and European officials. The episode has nonetheless highlighted the intersection of geopolitics and international sport ahead of one of the largest World Cup tournaments in history.