Fifa World Cup 2026: Mexican President says country can host Iran World Cup games

Players of Iran pose for a team photo ahead of the 2026 Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group A game between Iran and Uzbekistan. Photo / Getty Images

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her country was prepared to host Iran’s first-round matches at the 2026 World Cup if needed due to the conflict in the Middle East.

That would include the opening game against the All Whites which is scheduled for June 16 in Los Angeles.

Iran’s football federation is reportedly in negotiations with Fifa to relocate its matches from the United States, though the global governing body has so far maintained that the tournament’s schedule remains unchanged.

Iranian soccer authorities “are currently discussing with Fifa whether it is feasible – since they were originally scheduled to go to the United States – to see if they can” move Iran’s games to Mexico, Sheinbaum said at a press conference.

“The matter is under review and we will provide an update in due course.”

Asked directly if Mexico was open to hosting the matches, and if the decision will purely come down to Fifa logistics, Sheinbaum said, “Yes.”

“Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world; therefore we will wait to see what Fifa decides.”

Iran’s participation at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been thrown into doubt since the war began late last month.

“When [US President Donald] Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj said on Monday in remarks posted on the X account of Iran’s embassy in Mexico.

“We are currently negotiating with Fifa to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”

But when contacted earlier by AFP on the matter, Fifa said it was “looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025”.

Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle.

The team’s base camp for the tournament is currently slated to be located in Tucson, Arizona.

Trump triggered uproar last week after stating that while Iran’s football team would be “welcome” in the United States, they should not travel to the tournament “for their own life and safety”.

Trump’s comments came after Fifa president Gianni Infantino had given assurances the US leader had promised him the Iranian team would be welcome.

Iran hit back at Trump’s comments saying “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup”.

Iran were the second Asian team after Japan to qualify for the World Cup, securing their place almost a year ago as they topped their qualifying group.

But Iran’s place at the tournament was thrown into question after the United States and Israel launched a massive offensive against the Islamic Republic, which responded with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israeli territory and American targets across the Middle East.

Should Iran not take part in the World Cup, it is not yet clear which country might replace them.