FIFA does not plan to modify the 2026 World Cup calendar despite Iran's request to move its matches in the United States to Mexico for security reasons, so its withdrawal from the tournament remains firm. FIFA, the world football's governing body, confirmed it expects all teams to compete according to the schedule announced on December 6, 2025, and confirmed it maintains permanent contact with the Iranian federation, according to the Argentine News Agency. The official stance comes after the Iranian federation began negotiations to move its matches, all scheduled in US cities during the group stage; the chosen venue would be Mexico. The proposal is based on statements from US President Donald Trump, who stated that "he could not guarantee the security of the Iranian team", so from the Iranian embassy in Mexico they affirmed: "When Trump clearly stated that he cannot guarantee the security of the Iranian national team, we will definitely not travel to the United States". The conflict deepened after the joint air strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory, which cast doubt on the participation of the Asian team, to which its president, Mehdi Taj, confirmed negotiations with FIFA to play the matches in Mexico. In response to this decision by the Iranian leader, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured that her country is willing to host these matches if the body approves it and would be of assistance to the Asian team. Iran is in Group G along with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, with matches scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle, a city where, if its stay is not moved, it would have to play the "pride match" against Egypt, something to which it had categorically refused. A possible relocation would imply a strong logistical impact due to ticket sales and the previous planning of venues and training centers. Among the alternatives analyzed are moving the matches to Vancouver, Canada, or concentrating the entire zone in Mexico to avoid extensive travel. In case of advancing to decisive stages, the calendar establishes that from the quarterfinals all matches will be played in the United States, which would limit Iran's options. An eventual withdrawal from the tournament would force FIFA to define a replacement, although the Asian Football Confederation indicated that it has not received official notification and that, for now, the Iranian federation maintains its intention to participate.
