• Iran's national team will boycott World Cup matches in the U.S. but plans to participate in the tournament.
• FIFA has stated that there are no changes to the World Cup schedule despite Iran's requests.
• Mexican President offers to host Iran's matches amid safety concerns raised by U.S. President Trump.

In a significant development, Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj announced that the national team will "boycott the United States" but will continue to prepare for the World Cup 2026, scheduled from June 11 to July 19. Although the team is officially set to play its matches in the U.S., discussions are ongoing about possibly relocating these games to Mexico, as tensions between Iran and the U.S. have raised security concerns. Taj emphasized, "We will be preparing for the World Cup. We will boycott the United States but not the World Cup," highlighting the team's commitment to the tournament despite geopolitical tensions, according to South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

Following the war that escalated between Iran and the United States in late February, tensions have affected participation in international events. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed that while the Iranian team was "welcome," he felt it might not be "appropriate" for their safety to travel to the U.S. Taj used Trump's comments as a basis for demanding the relocation of matches, emphasizing the need for safety regarding the Iranian players. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has indicated that Mexico is prepared to host the matches and is waiting for FIFA's final decision, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

FIFA has currently stated that they are in contact with the Iranian football federation (FFIRI) regarding the situation but maintained that the match schedule announced in December 2025 remains unchanged. FIFA president Gianni Infantino had previously assured that the Iranian team would still be welcome to participate. However, the prevailing atmosphere of instability and Trump’s remarks have intensified discussions about the potential of moving Iran's matches, with FFIRI stating they have opened negotiations with FIFA for these changes, according to Le Monde and South China Morning Post.

Additionally, Iranian officials, including ambassador to Mexico Abolfazl Pasandideh, have criticized the U.S. government for a lack of cooperation regarding visa issues affecting the Iranian delegation. The football federation's approach encapsulates Iran’s insistence on participating in the World Cup while placing emphasis on the diplomatic intricacies surrounding the event. The federation believes a secure environment is paramount for their team, a sentiment shared by Mehdi Taj, who reiterated that they are committed to not withdrawing from the World Cup despite logistical challenges, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.