New Delhi, March 17: Iran’s participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026 is now in jeopardy. The Iranian Football Federation is negotiating with FIFA to shift its matches from the United States to Mexico due to escalating security concerns.
Iranian Football President Mehdi Taj confirmed this development. He stated that security assurances are a significant issue. In a post shared on the social media account of the Iranian embassy in Mexico, Taj remarked, “When U.S. President Donald Trump has said he cannot ensure the safety of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not go to the U.S. We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”
These concerns stem from ongoing conflicts following U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran in February 2026, which have heightened regional tensions. Iran’s sports minister previously indicated the seriousness of the situation, suggesting that the national team might not participate in the tournament as planned.
Earlier, President Trump stated that Iran would be allowed to participate, but he also acknowledged the gravity of the situation. He welcomed the team but noted that playing in the U.S. might not be safe for them.
Iran easily qualified for this major tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, becoming the first Asian team to secure a spot on March 25, 2025. According to the current schedule, Iran is set to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
However, with the deteriorating situation, the likelihood of Iran withdrawing from the tournament has significantly increased. If Iran does decide to pull out, FIFA may need to make last-minute replacement decisions. The Asian Football Confederation has stated that there is no official information regarding Iran’s withdrawal yet. The Iranian federation has confirmed its intention to participate, but the rapidly changing circumstances continue to create uncertainty about their final decision.
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Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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