FIFA rejects Iran venue switch request for 2026 World Cup

FIFA has refused Iran’s request to relocate their 2026 World Cup group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, a decision that protects tournament planning and commercial delivery but keeps a live participation risk on the table.Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum said FIFA told the government the fixtures would remain in the United States, citing the complexity of changing venues after schedules and operational plans were set.Claudia Sheinbaum said: “FIFA ultimately decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original venues. It would make logistics too complicated, and this decision was taken by FIFA.”Iran’s football federation had asked for a switch after the outbreak of a US–Israel war with Iran on February 28, arguing that security concerns made travel and staging on US soil problematic.FIFA president Gianni Infantino has publicly aligned with the original schedule, linking the integrity of the competition to the draw and the fixed host-city plan.Gianni Infantino said: “The matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.”Iran are scheduled to play all three Group G matches in the United States, with two fixtures in Los Angeles on June 15 and June 21 and a final group game in Seattle on June 26.Maintaining those venues limits disruption for local organising teams, venue operators, broadcasters and sponsors that build activation, staffing and security plans around fixed match locations and dates.A late shift of three matches would also create knock-on effects across ticketing allocations, hospitality inventory, team base-camp logistics, training-site access and border processes for travelling supporters and commercial guests.Iran’s sports ministry has tightened its stance on travel to countries it considers hostile, increasing the chance of political intervention even if FIFA keeps the schedule unchanged.Iran’s Minister of Sport Ahmad Donyamali has said the government would make the final decision on participation once it receives assurances on security and clarity from FIFA.Ahmad Donyamali said: “Our request to FIFA to relocate Iran’s games from the U.S. to Mexico is still valid, but we have not yet received a response.”The federation decision also lands in a sensitive reputational window for the tournament’s US-based operations, where organisers are seeking to reassure teams and commercial partners that security provision, transport corridors and matchday protocols can withstand geopolitical shocks.The 2026 World Cup will be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19, with FIFA and host authorities now under pressure to demonstrate how security guarantees will be delivered for all participating delegations in US venues.Iran’s next formal step is expected to be a government decision on whether those guarantees are sufficient to proceed with travel and competition in the United States.