11/04/2026
Iran sets conditions for participating in the 2026 World Cup, putting FIFA in a difficult position.
Iranian football continues to create difficulties for FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup. According to The Guardian, the Iranian Football Association (IFA) has requested that FIFA move the Iranian national team's three group stage matches from the United States to Mexico, citing security concerns and recent conflict developments.
Speaking to the Anadolu news agency, Iran's Minister of Sports, Donyamali, firmly defended his position. "If our request (to play the three group stage matches in Mexico) is approved, Iran will definitely participate in the World Cup," the official emphasized.
This is seen as a "reversal" by Iranian football. Just a few days earlier, representatives of the Iranian football federation seemed to have agreed to FIFA and the US proposal. However, they have now changed their minds.
But it is highly likely that FIFA will maintain its firm stance. President Gianni Infantino has previously stated that Iran's matches "will proceed exactly as per the draw," meaning there are few alternative options to the current schedule.
This is seen as a clear message from the world's most powerful football governing body: the 2026 World Cup will not be altered due to political pressure, at least not at this time.
According to the established schedule, Iran is in Group G and will play all three group stage matches in the United States, facing New Zealand and Belgium in the Los Angeles area before confronting Egypt in Seattle. Given that many Iranian officials have expressed concerns about the possibility of the team having to travel to a country considered "hostile," FIFA's decision to maintain the original schedule makes the future of the West Asian representative's World Cup journey even more sensitive.
