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Iran Advances World Cup Talks with FIFA Amid US Travel Doubts
Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:35am Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›The Iranian national team's uncertain path to the 2026 World Cup is reflected in a fractured, cubist-style illustration.Inglewood TodayIran's national football team has been in talks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino about the team's participation in the 2026 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in the United States and Mexico. The discussions come amid concerns over Iran's ability to travel to the US and potential security risks for Iranian players. While some earlier suggestions of moving Iran's matches to Mexico have become less common, the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has raised doubts about whether the Iranian team will be able or willing to participate in the World Cup. Why it matters Iran's qualification for the 2026 World Cup was a major achievement for the country's football program. However, the geopolitical tensions between Iran and the US have cast uncertainty over Iran's ability to fully participate in the tournament, which could have significant implications for the team, the fans, and the overall success of the World Cup. The details After qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in March 2025, Iranian officials said the team could face problems, including not being able to travel to the US or having to move matches to Mexico. Following a meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Iranian officials in Turkey, Iran did not mention any plan to move games. FIFA said it will help Iran prepare for the World Cup. However, Iran's domestic football league has been paused due to the conflict, leaving most players without competitive matches ahead of the tournament. In early March 2026, officials gave mixed and unclear statements about Iran's participation in the World Cup.On May 20, 2021, Gianni Infantino attended the 71st FIFA Virtual Congress and Council meeting in Zurich, Switzerland.Iran's first match at the 2026 World Cup is scheduled for June 15 against New Zealand at the stadium used by the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood. The players Gianni InfantinoThe President of FIFA who met with Iranian officials to discuss the team's participation in the 2026 World Cup.Donald TrumpThe former US President who raised concerns about player safety and suggested Iranian players could face risks from their own government while participating in the World Cup. Got photos? Submit your photos here. › What they’re saying “I do not have a problem with Iran taking part but...
Iran's World Cup participation depends on relocation from US, minister ...
Iran awaits FIFA’s response after requesting relocation of its games to Mexico amid the US-Israeli war.Iran’s sports minister says his country’s participation in the upcoming World Cup will be uncertain unless FIFA relocates its matches from the United States to Mexico.The Iranian Football Federation (IFF) requested the sport’s global governing body move its fixtures but has yet to receive a response, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Sunday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Iranian women footballers reveal ‘enormous pressure’ of the Asian Cup sagalist 2 of 4‘An incredible feeling’: Turkiye celebrates ending 24-year World Cup waitlist 3 of 4Yamal slams anti-Muslim fan chants as Spain’s World Cup final hopes taintedlist 4 of 4‘Take me to America’: Bosnian joy as the Dragons take off for the World Cupend of list“If [our request to FIFA] is accepted, Iran’s participation in the World Cup will be certain,” Donyamali told Turkiye’s Anadolu news agency.Israel and the US, which is cohosting the tournament in June and July with Canada and Mexico, began attacking Iran on February 28, sparking a regionwide conflict in the Middle East.Tehran responded to US and Israeli strikes by launching waves of missiles and drones at Israel, several military bases in the Middle East where US forces operate and infrastructure in the Gulf.Iran, the first team to qualify for the World Cup from Asia, is scheduled to play all its group matches on the US West Coast.Within two weeks of the start of the war, US President Donald Trump said Iran was welcome to come to his country for its matches but added: “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”In response to Trump’s comments, Iran’s football team said in a post on social media that “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup.”Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj followed up by saying: “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America.”“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico,” Taj said.However, days later, FIFA rejected Iran’s request by saying all World Cup matches will take place per the schedule announced last year, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed a relocation is off the cards.“The matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw,” Infantino said after a meeting with IFF Vice P...
Iran waiting for FIFA response to finalize World Cup decision
4 hours ago ... ... move its matches from the U.S. to Mexico amid ongoing negotiations. "Our request to FIFA to relocate Iran's games from the U.S. to Mexico is still valid ...
Iran awaits FIFA guarantees for World Cup participation
Iran announced Sunday that it would await FIFA's guarantees for participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. "Our request to FIFA to relocate Iran's games from the US to Mexico is still valid, but we ...
