Tehran — Iran will continue its preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 but will not play matches in the United States, according to Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj, amid ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington.
The statement confirms that Iran does not intend to withdraw from the tournament but is seeking a change of venue for its scheduled matches. The development is significant as it could affect match arrangements in a World Cup set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Iran seeks venue change
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), said the team remains committed to participating in the World Cup but will avoid playing in the United States.
“We will boycott America, but we will not boycott the World Cup,” Taj said, adding that the federation is in talks with FIFA to shift Iran’s matches to Mexico.
Iran are currently scheduled to play their group-stage matches in the United States, including fixtures against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.
Preparations continue
Despite the uncertainty over venues, the Iranian national team has continued its preparations. Officials said the squad is holding a training camp in Turkey and will play friendly matches as part of its build-up.
Also Read: Messi reaches 900 career goals, joins Ronaldo in elite scoring milestone
Iran had earlier qualified for the tournament and is among the first teams to secure a place in the finals.
Tournament context and response
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19 and will be hosted across three countries for the first time.
FIFA has said it remains in contact with the Iranian federation and expects matches to proceed according to the schedule announced in December 2025.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has indicated that Mexico would be open to hosting Iran’s matches if required, though any decision on venue changes rests with FIFA.
Safety concerns raised
The issue has been linked to broader geopolitical tensions and concerns over player safety. US President Donald Trump previously said Iranian players would be allowed to participate but raised concerns about security.
Player representatives have also emphasised that FIFA must ensure safety and conduct a comprehensive assessment to protect all participants during the tournament.
Today's E-Paper