Fifa responds to Iran request to move their World Cup games from United States

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Independent

Wednesday 18 March 2026 07:49 EDT


Fifa has appeared to rule out the possibility of relocating Iran’s matches at the World Cup to Mexico following the US and Israeli airstrikes on the country.

It comes after the president of the Iranian football federation, Mehdi Taj, said Iran was “negotiating” with Fifa to move the team’s matches outside of the United States due to the ongoing conflict.

US president Donald Trump said last week that he did not believe it was “appropriate” for Iran to play games in America “for their own life and safety”.

Iran are scheduled to play all three of its group matches at the World Cup in the US, kicking off against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June. But a spokesperson said Fifa is “looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced” following the World Cup draw in December.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/sport/football/iran-world-cup-us-trump-boycott-fifa-b2940671.html

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REFERENCE - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143633905

[underpants]

1. FIFA are a bunch of corrupt aholes

[blm]

2. That's FIFA not being realistic, yet again.

US always manages to find ways to disappoint the rest of the soccer world.

[twodogsbarking]

3. The US wins by default. No other teams show. Like the canal thing.

[EarthFirst]

4. Boycotts.

Personally; no team should show to any matches hosted in the U.S.

You think that the governing body who gave TSF some imaginary peace prize is going to give a shit about human rights?

Boycott ever match.

[maxsolomon]

5. Iran should play the games as scheduled. The team will be safe.

But I can't blame them for trying to get them moved to Mexico.

[travelingthrulife]

10. Why do you think they would be safe from Trump and his goons?

ICE will be all over them.

[maxsolomon]

11. Because I don't think ICE will be all over them.

They will be here for a set time. They will be unlikely to overstay their VISA, unless they defect. Which MFer would love.

ICE doesn't arrest every foreigner who comes to America. It just feels like they do.

[karynnj]

12. The President suggested they wouldn't be

Their request seems reasonable, until you think of how close in time this is. I don't know how difficult it would be to change the schedule. When will tickets be sold for the matches? Have teams been making their travel plans? If either have started, it probably is too late without greatly inconveniencing players, reporters, and fans. Given that it starts in June and requires foreign travel, I think many already at least have their air tickets and probably hotel rooms.

Not to mention, even if the early matches are changed, where will the later matches be if they win. It might be that FIFA should demand that all hosts promise to protect all players and to insure good sportsmanship. (Something alien to Trump.)

[maxsolomon]

13. President Orange Clown is the biggest bullshitter on earth. He's not going to interfere with the World Cup.

Do I have definitive proof? Of course not.

I believe the Iranian team should defy him and show up.

[OnlinePoker]

6. I want FIFA to demand Trump's return of their peace prize. n/t

[EX500rider]

7. Lets not forget they already tried this before the war due to "Pride Day"

Iran and Egypt filed formal complaints with FIFA regarding their 2026 World Cup group stage match scheduled for June 26 in Seattle, which local organizers had designated as a "Pride Match"

Iran & Egypt's Objection: Both nations, where homosexuality is criminalized and treated with severe legal consequences, formally asked FIFA to remove the Pride designation, calling it an "irrational" and "abnormal" move that violates rules against political or ideological messaging

[LiberalLovinLug]

8. What a shitshow this WC is going to be. Not the games but everything else.

[mdbl]

9. I don't know why anyone would attend these games in the US

I am so disgusted I won't even watch it on TV