Iran demands to play World Cup games outside United States after tensions between Tehran and Washington escalated following President Donald Trump’s warnings about the safety of the national soccer team. The Iranian Football Federation has indicated it is actively negotiating with FIFA to relocate its matches, potentially to Mexico, citing concerns over the security of its players and staff.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, said the decision is a direct response to Trump’s public comments. “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Taj stated. “We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”
The move comes as the geopolitical climate between Iran, the United States, and Israel remains volatile. Last week, President Trump posted on Truth Social that while the Iranian team is welcome at the World Cup, their presence in the United States would be unsafe. “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” Trump wrote, underscoring the administration’s security concerns just months before the tournament.
The uncertainty over Iran’s participation intensified after US and Israeli strikes killed Iran’s supreme leader, triggering retaliatory attacks and escalating regional tensions. Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamal echoed a more definitive stance, suggesting that under current conditions, the team cannot compete. “Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup,” Donyamal said in an interview on RTE. “In view of the malicious measures taken against Iran, two wars were forced upon us within eight or nine months, and several thousand of our people were killed. Therefore, we definitely have no possibility of participating in this way.”
Despite the uncertainty, Iran remains scheduled to face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt on the West Coast in June. The first two games are slated for SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, while the third is set for Seattle, Washington. FIFA faces logistical challenges if it were to approve a relocation, given that the tournament is less than 100 days away and schedules are already finalized. Analysts suggest that even if negotiations succeed, changing venues could disrupt team preparations and fan travel plans.
Iran’s potential withdrawal or relocation raises broader questions about the intersection of sports and international politics. The World Cup has historically been seen as a stage for diplomacy as much as athletic competition, but rising tensions between nations can place athletes and organizers in precarious positions. FIFA must weigh the political context against the operational and contractual realities of staging the tournament in multiple countries.
Observers note that a decision by Iran to play outside the United States could set a precedent, influencing how global sporting organizations handle security threats and political disputes in the future. It also reflects a broader trend of sports becoming a direct extension of national policy, particularly in high-stakes international tournaments like the World Cup.
Iran’s football authorities are navigating an unprecedented situation. While the team’s commitment to the sport is clear, security concerns and national politics are now inseparable from the game itself. FIFA’s response in the coming weeks will likely define not only the Iranian team’s participation but also the organization’s approach to managing international conflicts affecting major tournaments.
