Mexican President Sheinbaum says FIFA will not move Iran’s fixtures from the US despite repeated requests.
Published on 12 April 2026
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that FIFA has rejected Iran’s request to move its World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, citing logistical constraints.
The Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) last month asked the sport’s global governing body to move its games out of the US, but FIFA said all World Cup events would go on as scheduled, ruling out the possibility of Mexico hosting the Iranian team.
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Sheinbaum reiterated FIFA’s stance on Friday that the matches will be played in the United States as planned.
“FIFA ultimately decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original venues,” Sheinbaum said at a news conference in Mexico City.
“It (the transfer) would make the logistics very complex and that decision was taken by FIFA,” he said.
FIFA did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment on Iran’s confirmation of host venues for the games.
The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and 168 people at a girls’ school on the first day.
Tehran responded by attacking Israeli and US military targets in the Middle East with missiles and drones.
A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire halted attacks in Iran and the Gulf on Wednesday, but Israel continued attacks on parts of Lebanon.
Iran was one of the first countries to qualify for the World Cup, in the race to book its spot from the Asian Confederation.
Team Melli is in Group G of the tournament along with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand and is scheduled to play all of its group games on the US West Coast, two in Los Angeles (June 15 and 21) and one in Seattle (June 26).
Mexico, which is co-hosting the World Cup with the US and Canada, had shown willingness to host Iran’s fixtures, but Sheinbaum’s recent comments confirmed the stance of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who met with Iranian football players, coaches and officials in Turkiye on March 31.
“The matches will be played where they should be according to draws,” Infantino said on the sidelines of Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica.
Infantino also dismissed concerns that Iran would not participate in the next edition of the World Cup after FFIRI President Mehdi Taj said Iran would “boycott” the games in the US.
“Iran will be at the World Cup. That’s why we’re here,” Infantino said in Mexico.
“I’ve seen the team, I’ve talked to the players and the coach, so everything is fine,” said Infantino, whose attendance at the friendly was unannounced.
Last month, FFIRI expressed fears over the safety of its players in the US after President Donald Trump wrote in a social media post that it would not be appropriate for Iran to participate in the World Cup “for the sake of their lives and safety”.
Taj said in response to Trump, “When Trump has clearly said that he cannot ensure the safety of the Iranian national team, we will definitely not travel to the United States.”
The two countries have since exchanged indirect verbal attacks on the issue, including the latest comments from Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, who indicated that his The country’s participation in the World Cup will remain uncertain unless FIFA moves its events.
