Defined: May Iran’s World Cup video games be moved from the U.S. to Mexico?

The turbulent countdown in the direction of this summer time’s World Cup finals exhibits little signal of easing.

A social media put up from the Iranian embassy in Mexico late on Monday evening solely served to intensify the rising sense of uncertainty when it was claimed negotiations had begun with match organisers to relocate Iran’s video games away from the United States. Mexico, it was mentioned, might supply the answer whereas the U.S. continues its navy assaults on Iran.

“When (U.S. President Donald) Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” learn a press release attributed to Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, in a put up on X. “We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”

That would threaten a schedule mapped out way back to December 6 and demand wider issues if Iran, the primary staff to qualify for the World Cup, have been to advance from the group phases.

FIFA, for now, stresses that there are not any plans to relocate any of its video games in a match that begins 12 weeks from tomorrow. Here, The Athletic assesses the feasibility of shifting video games if organisers needed to and what any contingencies may appear like.

What is the present plan for Iran? When and the place are they enjoying?

Placed into Group G on the World Cup attract December, Iran’s three opponents are scheduled to be New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. The first of these two video games, in opposition to New Zealand (June 16) and Belgium (June 21), are because of be performed at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, earlier than Iran’s group commitments conclude on June 27 with a fixture in opposition to Egypt at Seattle’s Lumen Field.

Progressing from Group G as winners would see Iran stay in Seattle for a last-32 tie, whereas ending as runners-up would take them to Dallas. Advancing as among the finest third-placed groups, in the meantime, would result in a knockout recreation in both Vancouver or New York/New Jersey.

As it stands, there isn’t any prospect of enjoying any video games in Mexico, however Iran’s coaching base would at the least lend itself to any altered plans. It was introduced on the again finish of final month, per week earlier than the primary U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran, that the Kino Sports Complex, simply outdoors of Tucson, Arizona, would act as a base for Iran from early June.

What have Iran mentioned? What do they need and why?

There have been unsure messages, the sparks for conjecture, coming from Iran for the reason that battle started. The nation’s sports activities minister, Ahmad Donyamali, was reported to have informed state tv final Wednesday that Iran “certainly” couldn’t compete within the World Cup. “Our players do not have security, and fundamentally, the conditions for participation do not exist,” he mentioned.

Iran’s soccer staff then responded to feedback made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had mentioned he didn’t imagine it will be acceptable for Iran to be on the World Cup. They made it clear, in a press release posted on Instagram, that “no one can exclude” them from the World Cup. They as an alternative turned the tables on the U.S., saying the nation lacked “the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event”, the assertion learn.

Infantino mentioned he had ensures from Trump about Iran (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP by way of Getty Images)

The newest twist got here late on Monday when feedback attributed to Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, raised the prospect of shifting video games scheduled for the U.S. to Mexico.

Which video games are going down in Mexico?

As one of many three co-hosts, Mexico has 13 of the 104 matches, together with the match’s opener between Mexico and South Africa on June 11. That is considered one of 5 fixtures to be performed on the Azteca in Mexico City, with Monterrey and Guadalajara each allotted 4 video games apiece.

There would, in principle, be house to accommodate extra video games. Going by Iran’s present schedule, solely the Egypt recreation falls on the identical day a fixture is being performed in one of many three Mexican venues, with Guadalajara internet hosting Uruguay and Spain. Iran’s opener falls the day after Tunisia are slated to play one of many remaining European qualifiers on June 14 in Monterrey.

There are not any apparent clashes with any of Iran’s group fixtures and video games being performed in Mexico City, however there would must be a willingness from any of the Mexican venues to accommodate extra video games at comparatively brief discover.

What are FIFA and Infantino saying?

This is undoubtedly an undesirable headache for FIFA, particularly with the World Cup solely 12 weeks away.

With that in thoughts, nonetheless, the governing physique has no intention of fixing its match schedule, which implies Iran — until there’s a dramatic shift — will likely be enjoying their matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.

FIFA confirmed to The Athletic that it has been in contact with Iran, however confused the fixtures are going forward as initially introduced in December.

“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” a FIFA spokesperson mentioned.

“FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on December 6, 2025.”

Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, has not publicly commented on the state of affairs since final week, when he claimed to have the assurances of Trump that Iran could be “welcome” to play within the U.S.

What are organisers in Mexico and the U.S. saying?

The most notable feedback to come back from Mexico on Tuesday have been from President Claudia ​Sheinbaum. The door was left open to Iranian proposals.

“(Iran) is discussing (relocating games) with FIFA to see if that’s viable because they were expected to play in the United States,” ​Sheinbaum mentioned in her day by day briefing. “That’s being discussed. When the time is right, we’ll make an announcement. Mexico has relations with every country. Let’s see what FIFA decides and we’ll inform the public.”

A Mexican Football Federation spokesperson informed The Athletic that it has no say relating to Iran’s World Cup schedule.

Claudia Sheinbaum appeared open to Iran enjoying in Mexico (Jeannette Flores/ObturadorMX/Getty Images)

Monterrey host metropolis supervisor Alejandro Hutt informed The Athletic he and his colleagues had but to obtain something official from FIFA. But, when requested whether or not the northeastern Mexican metropolis might host Iran’s matches if wanted, Hutt mentioned “Monterrey is always ready” and added he was assured it might make the mandatory lodging. He identified Monterrey had been one of many cities bidding to host final December’s draw for the finals, which ultimately occurred in Washington, D.C.

None of the U.S. metropolis organisers have spoken publicly concerning the state of affairs, with those that responded directing enquiries to FIFA.

What are the opposite nations of their group saying?

Very little that brings readability. New Zealand, who’ve certified for his or her first World Cup since 2010, are because of be Iran’s first opponents on June 15 in Los Angeles. As issues stand, they haven’t any plans to be wherever else.

“We continue to monitor the situation in Iran and comments from the country regarding their participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026,” they informed The Athletic.

“New Zealand Football has been in direct contact with FIFA about the ongoing conflict and will continue to do so as the situation develops. At this point in time, we are preparing to play Iran in LA in our opening game and will continue to plan for this until we hear otherwise.”

Belgium, in the meantime, echoed a lot of what FIFA had mentioned in its assertion on Tuesday, with an expectation to “proceed in line with the official match schedule announced on December 6”.

What are followers of the nations impacted saying?

The potential implications for supporters are huge. Flights, lodging and tickets could have been booked by 1000’s, believing the schedules have been set in stone after the draw was made in December. Relocating the video games could be the set off for apparent anger and monetary loss.

Egypt’s supporters may lay declare to being essentially the most inconvenienced if their recreation with Iran have been to be moved. With fixtures scheduled for Vancouver and Seattle, they would wish a special visa for every of their group video games.

“Flying to Mexico for Egyptians requires making arrangements for an additional visa,” says Ahmed Hamdy, an Egyptian dwelling within the U.S. “There are teams in the group that would be playing in all three countries. I think this would be taxing on the fans just as much as it would be taxing on the organisers to make this happen.

“This also poses an open-ended problem as Iran may progress to the second round. What are they going to do then without notice?”

So, will this really occur?

That stays the massive query that no person is at present in a position to reply. As they’ve all through the final fortnight, FIFA is watching and ready for developments from a battle that exhibits little signal of ending.

Take FIFA’s newest assertion at face worth and there will likely be no alteration to the schedule mapped out in December. The suggestion that talks have been held over staging video games in Mexico would point out that potential contingencies are being drawn up, however there could be huge obstacles to be overcome if that have been to occur.

Two U.S. venues must hand over at the least three video games between them, whereas tickets bought would must be refunded and put again available on the market at new venues. With the plans of Iran’s opponents already in place, there isn’t any easy resolution to an more and more complicated state of affairs.

Then there may be the prospect of Iran advancing into the knockout phases. For all that they won’t be among the many most fancied groups competing this summer time, relocating video games within the spherical of 32 and past could be near unimaginable at brief discover. Accepting that the U.S. wouldn’t be appropriate hosts for Iran’s three group video games would set a clumsy and unworkable precedent.

FIFA has made it clear that it needs to see Iran line up on this summer time’s finals, however that appears problematic if the U.S. assaults on Iran proceed.

What if there isn’t any decision?

Then both Iran or FIFA, in step with the U.S. organisers, have a choice to make. Iran have already pointed in the direction of the safety issues dealing with their nationwide staff, with these amplified by Trump’s declare that, for “their own life and safety”, it will be inappropriate to play.

If relocating video games to Mexico just isn’t a viable choice, then Iran, as indicated in a few of their current messaging, may conclude a withdrawal to be their best choice.

The FIFA Congress, because of be staged in Vancouver on April 30, would current a well timed second to contemplate any late alterations to the finals line-up, with World Cup guidelines providing little steerage over who would take Iran’s place. By then, the intercontinental and European play-offs could have been performed so as to add new names to the scheduling. Nobody, not least Infantino, can at present make certain if Iran will likely be amongst these 48 groups lining up on June 11.