Mexican President Sheinbaum says FIFA is not going to 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 USA 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 mentioned all World Cup fixtures will go forward as scheduled, dismissing the potential for Mexico internet hosting the Iranian workforce.
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Sheinbaum reiterated FIFA’s stance on Friday, saying the matches might be performed within the US as deliberate.
“FIFA finally determined that the matches can’t be moved from their authentic venues,” Sheinbaum mentioned at a information convention in Mexico Metropolis.
“It [relocation] would make logistics too difficult, and this choice was taken by FIFA,” she mentioned.
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 individuals at a ladies faculty on the primary day.
Tehran responded by putting Israeli and US army 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 elements of Lebanon.
Iran was among the many first nations to qualify for the World Cup, racing to e book their spot from the Asian confederation.
Crew Melli are in Group G of the event 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 might be performed the place they’re imagined to be, in line with the draw,” Infantino mentioned on the sidelines of Iran’s pleasant match in opposition to Costa Rica.
Infantino additionally quelled issues that Iran wouldn’t characteristic on the subsequent version of the World Cup in any respect after FFIRI President Mehdi Taj mentioned Iran would “boycott” the video games within the US.
“Iran might be on the World Cup. … That’s why we’re right here,” Infantino mentioned in Mexico.
“I’ve seen the workforce, I’ve spoken to the gamers and the coach, so every thing 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 will not be applicable for Iran to take part within the World Cup “for their very own life and security”.
“When Trump has explicitly said that he can’t make sure the safety of the Iranian nationwide workforce, we will definitely not journey to America,” Taj said in response to Trump.
Each nations have since exchanged oblique verbal blows on the problem with the newest feedback coming from Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, who indicated that his nation’s participation within the World Cup might be unsure until FIFA relocates its fixtures.
