Nearly a week after Iran’s sport minister said the country will not participate in the 2026 World Cup following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, FIFA announced Tuesday it is working with all participating teams to ensure the tournament goes as planned.
“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including (the Islamic Republic of) Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025,” FIFA said in a statement shared on social media.
Iran has attempted to negotiate with FIFA to move its matches to Mexico.
During a morning news conference Tuesday, Sheinbaum confirmed Iran’s effort to do so. Sheinbaum noted that once discussions are finalized, she would inform the news media.
Sheinbaum noted that Mexico has relationships with countries across the globe. She added, “Let’s see what FIFA says and move from there.”
Iran had been scheduled to play two group-stage matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in June — against New Zealand and Belgium — before facing Egypt in Seattle in its final Group G match.
Iran’s participation in the tournament was thrown into doubt after the United States and Israel began launching airstrikes against the nation on Feb. 28. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during the first day of the attacks and has since been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
“Given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali previously said on Iranian state television.
The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to begin in June.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously said that President Donald Trump had told him the Iranian national team would be welcome to compete in the United States despite the tensions.
Trump, however, later posted on social media warning Iran against their participation in the tournament.
“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The Iranian team responded on social media to Trump’s message saying: “The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA — not any individual country,” the team wrote. “Iran’s national team, with strength and a series of decisive victories achieved by the brave sons of Iran, was among the first teams to qualify for this major tournament.”