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The 2026 World Cup will go ahead as planned, FIFA announced Tuesday, after Iran’s ambassador and the embassy in Mexico City claimed the country was negotiating with FIFA to move Iran’s three group games out of the United States
In a statement obtained by The Associated Press, FIFA said it is in “regular contact” with all countries competing in the upcoming tournament, which will largely take place in the United States, but said the matches will go ahead as previously scheduled.
Mehdi Taremi of Iran celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group A match between Iran and Uzbekistan at Azadi Stadium on March 25, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)
“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including (Islamic Republic of) Iran, to discuss planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA looks forward to all participating teams competing according to the fixture list announced on 6 December 2025.”
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Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, Calif., against New Zealand on June 16 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The USA will host the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Iran’s ambassador to Mexico Abolfazl Pasandideh called on FIFA to move the team’s matches to Mexico in comments published Monday on the embassy’s website. He reportedly said the “best situation” for Iran would be to move the team’s matches to Mexico.
FIFA’s statement on Tuesday ended speculation that there would be any adjustments to the schedule, including match venues.
US President Donald Trump speaks as (L-R) former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary of State Marco Rubio listen during a meeting of the White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on November 17, 2025. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP)
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President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post last week that Iran would be welcome to compete at the World Cup but that it might not be “appropriate” as the conflict in the Middle East continues.
“Iran’s national football team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be there for their own lives and safety,” he said.
Trump was indifferent last week when asked about Iran’s participation in the World Cup, tells Politico“I really don’t care.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also said last week that Trump “reiterated” to him in their recent talks that Iran’s soccer team would be “welcome to compete” in the United States
Players from Iran celebrate after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group A match between Iran and Uzbekistan at Azadi Stadium on March 25, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Iran’s national football team celebrated after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)
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“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support as it once again shows that football unites the world,” he said in a post on Instagram.
Earlier remarks by Iran’s sports minister have cast doubt on the country’s participation, but the men’s soccer team released a statement Thursday saying “no one can exclude” the team from competing and called on FIFA and the United States to ensure the team’s safety.
