Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed that FIFA has rejectedIran's request to move its World Cup matchesfrom the United States to Mexico.
Amid an ongoing war with the United States, Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup is still up in the air with two months remaining until the tournament kicks off.
Iran qualified for the World Cup and is scheduled to play New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
But Iran has been looking to avoid traveling to the United States, where PresidentDonald Trumpwarned last month that the team may not be safe.
"We will boycott the United States but not the World Cup," Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj said last month.
Spain – 17th appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Brazil – 23rd appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
United States of America – 12th appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mexico – 18th appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
England – 17th appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Portugal – ninth appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
France – 17th appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Iran – seventh appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Switzerland – 13th appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Croatia – seventh appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Australia – seventh appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Morocco – seventh appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Austria – eighth appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ecuador – fifth appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Senegal – fourth appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
South Korea – 12th appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Japan – eighth appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Colombia – seventh appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Netherlands – 12th appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Germany – 21st appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Belgium – 15th appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Canada – third appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Uzbekistan – first appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jordan – first appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Tunisia – seventh appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
South Africa – fourth appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Scotland – ninth appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Algeria – fifth appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
New Zealand – third appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Paraguay – ninth appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Egypt – fourth appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Cape Verde – first appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Qatar – second appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Norway – fourth appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Panama – second appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Curacao – first appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ghana – fifth appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Haiti – second appearance
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the tournament
Spain– 17th appearance
However, Sheinbaum said at a press conference on Friday, April 10, that FIFA did not allow Mexico's request to proceed.
"FIFA ultimately decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original venues," Sheinbaum said, adding that FIFA believed that the request would require "an enormous logistical effort."
Advertisement
The rejection puts the onus on Iran to decide its next move. The country hashinted at withdrawing from the World Cupbut at this point, has not done so officially.
Why did FIFA reject Iran's request to move games to Mexico?
As Sheinbaum mentioned, changing the venue of a World Cup game – especially to a different country – this close to the tournament is a logistical headache.
Iran, as well as the other three teams in Group G, have already booked a location for base camp throughout the tournament, which is based on where they are playing their games.
In addition, fans, media members and many others have booked flights, hotels, rental cars and other necessities for travel.
Should Iran advance from the group stage, its round of 32 game would also very likely be scheduled for the United States. Avoiding the U.S. would require a venue change just days in advance.
The U.S. is also scheduled to host every match of the tournament from the quarterfinals on.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:FIFA rejects Iran's request to move World Cup games to Mexico
