The Iranian national football team will continue preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but has announced it will not play its scheduled matches in the United States, the nation’s soccer chief said. Iran qualified early for the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19 across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, and is drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. However, all three of Iran’s group‑stage fixtures are currently set to take place in U.S. cities including Los Angeles and Seattle.
The announcement came from Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, who confirmed Tehran’s intent to press ahead with training and preparation despite escalating geopolitical tensions that have strained ties with the United States. Meanwhile, the federation is in talks with FIFA to explore relocating its matches to Mexico, a possibility Mexico has openly expressed willingness to host, though no formal decision has been made and the governing body has not confirmed a change in schedule.
The dispute is rooted in broader political friction, with Iranian officials citing safety concerns for players amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East and political statements from U.S. leaders about the appropriateness of Iran’s participation on American soil. FIFA has reiterated that teams are expected to adhere to the original match schedule, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has stated it has not received any official notification of a complete World Cup withdrawal by Iran.
Iran’s stance adds uncertainty to what would be an unusually contentious lead‑up to a World Cup, as no qualified team has missed the tournament since 1950. Final determinations on venues and participation will be closely watched in the coming weeks as the July kickoff approaches.