LOS ANGELES / SEATTLE — Just as the 2026 World Cup fever reaches a boiling point, a major geopolitical hurdle has landed on FIFA’s desk. The Iranian Football Federation has officially petitioned world football’s governing body to relocate its scheduled Group G matches from the United States to Mexico.
Diplomatic deadlock: Iran petitions FIFA to move World Cup matches to Mexico to avoid U.S. Soil
The request comes on the heels of Tehran’s previous threats to withdraw from the tournament entirely, citing “unresolved security concerns” and the current military tensions between the two nations. Iran is currently slated to play high-profile matches at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Lumen Field in Seattle, facing off against Belgium and New Zealand.
“We have formally requested that our group stage be played in Mexican host cities,” an Iranian official stated via state media. “Our delegation and fans require an environment free from the political hostility currently present in the United States.”
The request presents a massive headache for local organizers. Thousands of tickets have already been sold for the matches in L.A. and Seattle, and hospitality contracts are locked in. A sudden shift to Mexico—where host cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey are already managing their own packed schedules—would be a logistical and financial disaster.
U.S. response and FIFA’s stance
The U.S. State Department has repeatedly assured FIFA that all qualifying nations, including Iran, will be granted the necessary visas and top-tier security details. “The United States is fully prepared to host a safe and inclusive tournament,” a spokesperson said. “We expect all qualified teams to honor the tournament structure as drawn.”
FIFA has yet to issue a formal ruling, but sources within the organization suggest that a venue change at this late stage is “highly improbable.” If FIFA denies the request and Iran refuses to travel to the U.S., the “Team Melli” could face a total ban from future competitions, potentially handing a last-minute spot to an alternate AFC nation.
