TEHERAN – The Iranian Football Federation has issued a firm statement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Iran’s Football Federation President Mehdi Taj affirmed that the nation will boycott matches played in the United States, but confirmed the Iranian national team will still participate in the prestigious tournament.
“We will prepare for the World Cup. We will boycott the US, but not the World Cup,” Taj stated in a video released by Iranian news agency Fars on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
The declaration comes amid uncertainty surrounding Iran’s position, as they were originally scheduled to play group stage matches within the US, according to AFP.
The Iranian federation is reportedly now in talks with FIFA to explore the possibility of relocating their matches outside of the “Land of the Free.”
Mexico Offers to Host
Amid the ongoing debate, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed her country’s willingness to serve as an alternative host for Iran’s first-round matches.
This offer follows escalating conflicts in the Middle East that have raised concerns about sporting event security.
When directly asked about Mexico’s readiness to host, Sheinbaum responded succinctly.
“Yes,” Sheinbaum said during a press conference on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
“Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world, therefore we will await what FIFA decides,” she added.
Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup has been under scrutiny since conflicts erupted last month.
The Middle East conflict was initially triggered by a joint attack by the US and Israel on Iran on February 28th.
Former US President Donald Trump previously warned that the safety of Iranian players could be at risk if they proceeded with travel to the US.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously stated that Trump had assured him the Iranian team would be welcomed.
However, the situation shifted last week when Trump sparked controversy by suggesting that the Iranian national team should refrain from attending the World Cup for their own safety.
