MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday that her country was prepared to host Iran’s first-round soccer matches at the 2026 World Cup if needed due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Iran’s soccer 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 would purely come down to FIFA logistics, Sheinbaum said: “Yes.”
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“Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world; therefore, we will wait to see what FIFA decides,” she added.
Iran’s players pose for a team picture ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group A soccer match between Iran and North Korea at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on June 10, 2025. (ATTA KENARE / AFP)
Iran’s participation at this summer’s finals 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 soccer 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.”
Trump said last week on his Truth Social platform that while Iran’s national team will be allowed to attend the World Cup, “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
The official soccer World Cup trophy is displayed during its presentation within the FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour at BBVA Stadium in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon, Mexico on March 14, 2026. (Julio Cesar AGUILAR / AFP)
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 is 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.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
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