Iran Conditions World Cup Entry on FIFA Venue Switch

Iran's government announced on Sunday that it will finalize its national football team's participation in the 2026 World Cup only after receiving a response from FIFA to a request relocating the team's matches from the United States to Mexico. The decision hinges on security guarantees amid ongoing regional tensions, with Iran's Minister of Sport and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, stating that the chances of competing in the U.S. remain very low without such assurances.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, places Iran in Group G. The team is scheduled to play all three group-stage matches on American soil: against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 16 and 22, respectively, and against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. Iran's Football Federation has lobbied FIFA for the venue switch, citing concerns over the safety of players and staff due to U.S. military involvement alongside Israel in a Middle East conflict that escalated in February.

Donyamali, speaking to Turkey's Anadolu news agency, emphasized the unresolved request. "Our request to FIFA to relocate Iran's games from the U.S. to Mexico is still valid, but we...