FIFA confirms Iran will play 2026 World Cup matches in US amid Middle East war concerns
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has dismissed requests to relocate Iran’s 2026 World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, insisting the team will compete at their designated venues despite the ongoing Middle East conflict.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that Iran will play their group stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle as originally drawn.
- The Iranian football federation had sought a relocation to Mexico following the outbreak of war involving the United States and Israel on 28 February 2026.
- Iran's national team displayed symbolic protests during recent friendlies to honour victims of a missile strike on a primary school in Minab.
The President of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, confirmed that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup and play their scheduled matches in the United States.
This announcement follows speculation regarding the team’s safety and the security of venues.
Speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on 31 March 2026, Infantino dismissed suggestions that the ongoing Middle East war would force a change in venues.
He praised the Iranian squad as a strong competitor and expressed satisfaction with their inclusion in the tournament.
Calls for relocation to Mexico
Infantino made the remarks during an unannounced visit to a friendly between Iran and Costa Rica in Turkey.
After meeting players and coaching staff, he stated that preparations for the World Cup were proceeding smoothly, with no anticipated issues.
The Iranian football federation had previously indicated it was negotiating with FIFA to move its fixtures to Mexico, citing tensions between Iran and the United States-Israel alliance, which escalated earlier this year.
President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, stated that her nation was willing to host Iran’s first-round fixtures if relocation became necessary. However, Infantino emphasised that matches must follow the official tournament draw.
Iran’s qualification record
Iran secured its World Cup spot early after topping their group in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers.
This will be their fourth consecutive appearance and sixth in the last eight tournaments.
Despite consistent qualifications, the team has struggled beyond the group stages, finishing last in 2014 and narrowly missing the knockout rounds in 2018 and 2022.
Geopolitical concerns
The 2026 World Cup is jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, beginning on 11 June 2026. Iran will open against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June, face Belgium on 21 June in the same city, and then travel to Seattle to play Egypt on 26 June.
These fixtures remain unchanged despite rising geopolitical tensions.
Concerns about Iran’s participation intensified after hostilities erupted on 28 February 2026. Infantino cited assurances from Donald Trump regarding the team’s welcome, though Trump later suggested the team should reconsider travelling for safety reasons.
The Iranian government rejected these remarks, asserting that no authority can exclude their national team from the global competition.
FIFA has maintained its stance that all qualified nations will participate as scheduled.
FIFA Council reiterates commitment
During a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich on 19 March 2026, Infantino reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to the original schedule.
He highlighted FIFA’s aim to use football to build bridges and promote peace even in times of conflict.
Iranian players have used recent matches to draw attention to civilian suffering.
During a friendly against Nigeria in Turkey, they wore black armbands and posed with school rucksacks to commemorate victims of a domestic tragedy.
The tribute was in response to an airstrike on a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, which killed at least 170 people, including children and teachers.
Preliminary findings by The New York Times suggest the school was struck by a US Tomahawk cruise missile due to a targeting error.
