Mexican President Sheinbaum says FIFA won’t relocate Iran’s fixtures from US regardless of repeated requests.
Revealed On 12 Apr 2026
FIFA has turned down Iran’s request to relocate its World Cup matches from the US to Mexico, citing logistical impediments, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirms.
Iran’s Soccer Federation (FFIRI) requested the game’s world governing physique to maneuver its video games out of the US final month, however FIFA stated all World Cup fixtures will go forward as scheduled, dismissing the opportunity of Mexico internet hosting the Iranian group.
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Sheinbaum reiterated FIFA’s stance on Friday, saying the matches shall be performed within the US as deliberate.
“FIFA finally determined that the matches can’t be moved from their authentic venues,” Sheinbaum stated at a information convention in Mexico Metropolis.
“It [relocation] would make logistics too sophisticated, and this resolution was taken by FIFA,” she stated.
FIFA didn’t reply to Al Jazeera’s request for touch upon affirmation of host venues for Iran’s video games.
The US and Israel launched a war on Iran on February 28, killing Supreme Chief Ali Khamenei and 168 folks at a women college on the primary day.
Tehran responded by hanging Israeli and US navy bases within the Center East with missiles and drones.
A Pakistan-mediated ceasefire introduced the assaults to a halt on Wednesday in Iran and the Gulf, however Israel has continued to pound components of Lebanon.
Iran was among the many first nations to qualify for the World Cup, racing to guide their spot from the Asian confederation.
Group Melli are in Group G of the match with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand and are scheduled to play all of their group video games on the US West Coast, two in Los Angeles (June 15 and 21) and one in Seattle (June 26).
Mexico, which is cohosting the World Cup with the US and Canada, had proven willingness to host Iran’s fixtures, however Sheinbaum’s current feedback have reaffirmed the stance of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who met Iranian soccer gamers, coaches and officers in Turkiye on March 31.
“The matches shall be performed the place they’re speculated to be, in response to the draw,” Infantino stated on the sidelines of Iran’s pleasant match towards Costa Rica.
Infantino additionally quelled considerations that Iran wouldn’t characteristic on the subsequent version of the World Cup in any respect after FFIRI President Mehdi Taj stated Iran would “boycott” the video games within the US.
“Iran shall be on the World Cup. … That’s why we’re right here,” Infantino stated in Mexico.
“I’ve seen the group, I’ve spoken to the gamers and the coach, so every part is ok,” added Infantino, whose attendance on the pleasant was unannounced.
Final month, the FFIRI expressed fears over its gamers’ security and safety within the US after President Donald Trump wrote in a social media submit that it might not be acceptable for Iran to take part within the World Cup “for their very own life and security”.
“When Trump has explicitly acknowledged that he can’t make sure the safety of the Iranian nationwide group, we will definitely not journey to America,” Taj said in response to Trump.
Each nations have since exchanged oblique verbal blows on the difficulty with the newest feedback coming from Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, who indicated that his nation’s participation within the World Cup shall be unsure until FIFA relocates its fixtures.
