Iran desires World Cup video games moved from US to Mexico

Iran is pushing to maneuver its 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup matches out of the US.

Iran’s soccer chief, Mehdi Taj, stated the nation was in talks with world soccer’s governing physique to relocate its video games to Mexico, citing safety issues after remarks by US President Donald Trump.

“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Taj stated in feedback posted on the Iranian Embassy’s X account.

Trump warns of security dangers for gamers

The push follows feedback by Trump final week on his Truth Social platform. He stated that whereas Iranian gamers can be allowed to compete, he added it could not be “applicable that they be there, for their very own life and security.”

Iran’s sports activities minister has additionally beforehand urged Iran may boycott this 12 months’s match altogether amid ongoing joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Starting on June, the World Cup shall be staged throughout the US, Mexico and Canada, with Iran at the moment scheduled to play throughout US stadiums.

Under present plans, Iran’s base camp can be in Tucson, Arizona, with its opening match towards New Zealand set for the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

FIFA relocation unlikely, New Zealand execs say

New Zealand Football chief Andrew Pragnell instructed native media Tuesday he doubted FIFA would change the fixtures, whereas nationwide coach Darren Bazeley stated preparations remained unchanged.

“Right now, we’re preparing as if we’re playing Iran,” he stated. “They qualified. We were drawn against them. And until we’re told otherwise, that’s the match.”

FIFA has not publicly commented on Iran’s request to relocate matches.

Iranian soccer below the highlight

The uncertainty provides to headlines surrounding Iranian soccer in current weeks. Previously, 5 of the seven ladies gamers granted asylum in Australia in the course of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup reportedly selected to return to Iran.

The provide adopted a pre-match protest by which some gamers stayed silent in the course of the nationwide anthem — a gesture that prompted Iranian state tv to label them “wartime traitors.”

Edited by: Rob Turner