Iran negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup games to Mexico from US

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN Sports/Reuters

Updated Mar 17, 2026, 7:19 AM ET
PUBLISHED Mar 17, 2026, 7:18 AM ET


(Reuters) - Iran’s soccer federation is in discussions with FIFA about moving their World Cup matches to Mexico from the United States due to concerns about the safety of their players, Iranian soccer president Mehdi Taj said on Monday.

Iran’s participation in the global soccer showpiece was thrown into doubt after co-hosts the United States launched joint air strikes at the country along with Israel.

US President Donald Trump said last week that Iran were welcome to participate but suggested it might not be appropriate for them to play in the US “for their own life and safety.” “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” said Taj in a post on the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account.

“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.” Soccer’s global governing body FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/17/sport/iran-fifa-move-world-cup-games-mexico

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Iran is in Group G and Group G and has 2 matches at So Fi in Inglewood, California and one at Lumen in Seattle, Washington.

[SpankMe]

1. Part of me wishes more countries would do this. n/t

[GenThePerservering]

8. All of me does. nt

[ChicagoTeamster]

2. They should. Games in northern half of US should be moved to Canada, southern to Mexico

No nation can be assured that their athletes will be safe from MAGA if Trump starts trash talking them. Even European nations athletes could be targeted now that NATO allies are refusing to send ships to the Straight of Hormuz.

[groundloop]

3. Yep, ALL international sporting events should boycott the US until this idiotic war ends.

Of course I fear that tRump's war will go on for a very long time because it's been the best distraction from the tRump-Epstein Files so far.

[ChicagoTeamster]

9. And let's not forget Israel. It's actually Netanyahu's idea, his war.

China and Russia have supplied Iran with missile and drone components and solid rocket fuel.

On top of what they already self produce as an oil country. Also, China and Russia have additionally supplied Iran with ammunition for their small arms, artillery, and mortar (some of which gets passed through to HAMAS and Hezbollah).

Israel is already running low on interceptors so eventually more missiles and drones will get through Israel's "Iron Dome". And, you can't hit mortar and artillery shells with other mortar and artillery shells.

In addition to receiving $3.8B per year, Israel has stockpiles of war material supplied by the US to provide them with the extra munitions and repair parts to keep their operations going long term. But this type of drone warfare is relatively new and even with US support Israel will eventually not be able to keep up with what Iran (supplied by Russia and China) can throw at them.

In addition to possibly inflicting damage that Israel will not have seen in years, Iran and their proxies will inflict damage on any gulf nation that continues to support or do business with the US to increase resentment against the US for an unnecessary war that the gulf nations weren't consulted on.

[ChicagoTeamster]

10. Other nations might boycott the 2028 Olympics as well. The US led a boycott against Olympics in Russia in 1980.

[Bayard]

4. Just do it

Nobody is safe here. ICE would be nabbing players and spectators, right and left.

[thesquanderer]

5. FIFA should tell Trump that if he doesn't end the war, they will revoke his peace prize. (n/t)

[Initech]

6. We have the world's biggest terrorist in charge.

He needs to be removed and arrested now.

[cab67]

7. Same with the Olympics.

I stopped following the Olympics long ago, but it would be outrageous to host them anywhere in the US.

[maxsolomon]

11. Yes to moving Iran's games to Mexico.

It's a schedule switch-out.

MFer saying he can't guarantee the safety of a Soccer team is absolutely shameful.

This entire debacle is shameful. Starting November 2016.