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The 2026 World Cup will take place as scheduled, FIFA announced Tuesday after Iran’s ambassador and embassy in Mexico City said the country was negotiating with FIFA to move Iran’s three group stage matches outside the United States.
In a statement obtained by The Associated Press, FIFA said it is in “regular contact” with all countries that will compete in the upcoming tournament, which will be largely held in the United States, but said matches will take place as previously determined.
Mehdi Taremi of Iran celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 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 (the Islamic Republic of) Iran, to discuss planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA expects all participating teams to compete according to the match schedule announced on December 6, 2025.”
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Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 16 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The United States will host the tournament along with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, urged FIFA to move the team’s games to Mexico in comments posted 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 adjustments to the schedule, including match locations.
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 with the White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, November 17, 2025. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP)
IRANIAN FOOTBALL PLAYERS PRACTICE WITH THE AUSTRALIAN CLUB AFTER OBTAINING ASYLUM
President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post last week that Iran would be welcome to compete in the World Cup, but that it might not be “appropriate” as the conflict in the Middle East continues.
“The Iranian national football team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t think it is appropriate for them to be there, for their own lives and safety,” he said.
Trump seemed indifferent the previous week when asked about Iran’s participation in the World Cup, saying politician“I really don’t care.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also said last week that Trump “reiterated” to him in their recent conversations that Iran’s soccer team would be “Welcome to compete” in the united states
Iran’s players celebrate after the FIFA World Cup 2026 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 qualifying 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 proves once again that football unites the world,” he said in a post on Instagram.
Previous comments by Iran’s Sports Minister have cast doubt on the country’s participation, but the men’s soccer team issued a statement Thursday saying “no one can exclude” the team from competing, and urged FIFA and the United States to ensure the team’s safety.
