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Mexico president says FIFA rejected Iran request to move World Cup games
TL;DR
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that FIFA has rejected Iran's request to relocate its World Cup matches from the U.S. to Mexico. Iran's participation remains uncertain with the tournament starting in two months.
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed that FIFA has rejected Iran's request to move its World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico.
Amid an ongoing war with the United States, Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup is still up in the air with two months remaining until the tournament kicks off.
Iran qualified for the World Cup and is scheduled to play New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
But Iran has been looking to avoid traveling to the United States, where President Donald Trump warned last month that the team may not be safe.
"We will boycott the United States but not the World Cup," Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj said last month.
Spain – 17th appearance
Brazil – 23rd appearance
United States of America – 12th appearance
Mexico – 18th appearance
England – 17th appearance
Portugal – ninth appearance
France – 17th appearance
Iran – seventh appearance
Switzerland – 13th appearance
Croatia – seventh appearance
Australia – seventh appearance
Morocco – seventh appearance
Austria – eighth appearance
Ecuador – fifth appearance
Senegal – fourth appearance
South Korea – 12th appearance
Japan – eighth appearance
Colombia – seventh appearance
Netherlands – 12th appearance
Germany – 21st appearance
Belgium – 15th appearance
Canada – third appearance
Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
Uzbekistan – first appearance
Jordan – first appearance
Tunisia – seventh appearance
South Africa – fourth appearance
Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
Scotland – ninth appearance
Algeria – fifth appearance
New Zealand – third appearance
Paraguay – ninth appearance
Egypt – fourth appearance
Cape Verde – first appearance
Qatar – second appearance
Norway – fourth appearance
Panama – second appearance
Ghana – fifth appearance
Haiti – second appearance
1 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Spain – 17th appearance
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Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Spain – 17th appearance
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Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Brazil – 23rd appearance
3 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
United States of America – 12th appearance
4 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Mexico – 18th appearance
5 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
England – 17th appearance
6 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Portugal – ninth appearance
7 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
France – 17th appearance
8 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Iran – seventh appearance
9 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Switzerland – 13th appearance
10 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Croatia – seventh appearance
11 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Australia – seventh appearance
12 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Morocco – seventh appearance
13 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Austria – eighth appearance
14 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Ecuador – fifth appearance
15 / 40
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Senegal – fourth appearance
16 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
South Korea – 12th appearance
17 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Japan – eighth appearance
18 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Colombia – seventh appearance
19 / 40
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Netherlands – 12th appearance
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Germany – 21st appearance
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Belgium – 15th appearance
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Canada – third appearance
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Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
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Uzbekistan – first appearance
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Jordan – first appearance
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Tunisia – seventh appearance
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South Africa – fourth appearance
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Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
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Scotland – ninth appearance
30 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Algeria – fifth appearance
31 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
New Zealand – third appearance
32 / 40
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Paraguay – ninth appearance
33 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Egypt – fourth appearance
34 / 40
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Cape Verde – first appearance
35 / 40
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Qatar – second appearance
36 / 40
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Norway – fourth appearance
37 / 40
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Panama – second appearance
38 / 40
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Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Ghana – fifth appearance
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Haiti – second appearance
However, Sheinbaum said at a press conference on Friday, April 10, that FIFA did not allow Mexico's request to proceed.
"FIFA ultimately decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original venues," Sheinbaum said, adding that FIFA believed that the request would require "an enormous logistical effort."
The rejection puts the onus on Iran to decide its next move. The country has hinted at withdrawing from the World Cup but at this point, has not done so officially.
Why did FIFA reject Iran's request to move games to Mexico?
As Sheinbaum mentioned, changing the venue of a World Cup game – especially to a different country – this close to the tournament is a logistical headache.
Iran, as well as the other three teams in Group G, have already booked a location for base camp throughout the tournament, which is based on where they are playing their games.
In addition, fans, media members and many others have booked flights, hotels, rental cars and other necessities for travel.
Should Iran advance from the group stage, its round of 32 game would also very likely be scheduled for the United States. Avoiding the U.S. would require a venue change just days in advance.
The U.S. is also scheduled to host every match of the tournament from the quarterfinals on.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FIFA rejects Iran's request to move World Cup games to Mexico
Q&A
Why did Iran request to move its World Cup matches from the United States?
Iran requested to move its matches due to concerns about safety amid ongoing tensions with the U.S.
What are the scheduled World Cup matches for Iran in 2026?
Iran is scheduled to play New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt on June 26, all in the United States.
What did Donald Trump say about Iran's safety during the World Cup?
Donald Trump warned that the Iranian team may not be safe while in the United States for the World Cup.
What was the response of the Iranian football federation regarding the World Cup?
The Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj stated that they would boycott the U.S. but not the World Cup.
