2026 World Cup: Iran requests relocation of its matches to Mexico, awaits FIFA response

"Our request to FIFA to transfer Iran’s matches from the United States to Mexico is still valid, but we have not yet received a response," said Ahmad Donyamali, Iran’s Minister of Sport, to Turkish state news agency Anadolu on 05/04/2026, on the 37^th day of the war involving his country and the United States and Israel.

"If our request is accepted, Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be certain, but FIFA has not yet responded," he added.

Iran is due to play its three Group G matches on the West Coast of the United States, in Los Angeles (against New Zealand on 16/06, then Belgium on 21/06) and in Seattle (against Egypt on 27/06/2026).

"The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran will only make a final decision regarding the participation of its national team in the 23^rd World Cup after receiving FIFA’s response," the minister said.

A total of 13 of the 104 matches (12.5%) of the 2026 World Cup are scheduled to take place in Mexico (Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey), including the opening match Mexico - South Africa (Group A) in Mexico City on 11/06/2026.

"The…