According to a report by The Guardian, FIFA is unwilling to relocate Iran's World Cup matches to Mexico, as tickets and sponsorship deals have already been finalized.
Despite the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) claiming it is in discussions with FIFA about moving its matches out of the United States, FIFA has no intention of switching Iran's World Cup venues to Mexico.
Iran was originally scheduled to play two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. However, due to the US and Israel conducting airstrikes against Iran, the country's prospects of participating in the World Cup have become uncertain. Last week, former US President Donald Trump stated that Iranian players could face risks to their lives and safety if they travel to the US, prompting the FFIRI to tentatively propose relocating the matches to Mexico.
Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran had approached FIFA about this move, and FFIRI President Mehdi Taj appeared to confirm the negotiations in a post on the Iranian Embassy in Mexico's X account: “We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran's World Cup matches in Mexico.”
FIFA responded: “FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA looks forward to all participating teams competing as per the announced match schedule.”
Several FIFA insiders pointed out that changing Iran's match venues would cause inconvenience to other countries and trigger commercial issues, as tickets have already been sold, and global broadcast schedules and sponsorship agreements have been finalized.
Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand are Iran's opponents in Group G. Another complicating factor is that if the US and Iran both finish as group runners-up, they would meet in the round of 16 in Dallas.
Sources believe the US and Iran appear to be engaged in a game of brinkmanship, with both sides trying to create conditions that would force the other to withdraw and blame the opponent, leaving FIFA caught in the middle.
FIFA may not make a final decision on the Iran issue until the FIFA Congress in Vancouver on April 30, and its official stance remains that it wants Iran to participate.
If Iran ultimately does not participate, FIFA has the sole authority to decide which country will replace it, which would mark the first time a World Cup team has withdrawn after the draw since 1950. The highest-ranked Asian team that has not yet qualified is Iraq, so if Iraq fails to win its intercontinental playoff against Bolivia or Suriname at the end of this month, Iraq appears poised to take Iran's place. If Iraq successfully qualifies, the United Arab Emirates would be the most likely beneficiary.
