Iran Will Boycott the U.S. But Participate in 2026 World Cup

The Iranian national team will continue its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite announcing it will boycott the United States as a host nation. This decision stems from ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two countries, but Iran remains committed to competing in the tournament, which will also be held in Mexico and Canada.

Boycott of the U.S., Not the Tournament

Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), stated unequivocally that Iran will “boycott America, but we will not boycott the World Cup.” This position clarifies earlier concerns about Iran potentially withdrawing from the tournament altogether.

Negotiations for Venue Change

The FFIRI is currently in negotiations with FIFA to potentially relocate Iran’s group stage matches from the U.S. To Mexico. Taj indicated that the federation is actively pursuing this option, citing concerns for the safety of its players. However, FIFA has so far maintained that the tournament schedule remains unchanged.

Mexico Offers to Host

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed willingness to host Iran’s matches, stating that Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with all countries and would await FIFA’s decision.

Preparations Continue

Despite the political complexities, the Iranian national team is continuing its preparations for the World Cup. The team is currently holding a training camp in Turkey and will play friendly matches against Nigeria on March 27 and Costa Rica on April 1 in Antalya. These matches were originally scheduled to be held in Jordan but were moved due to conflicts in West Asia.

Asylum Offers to Women’s Team

The situation highlights broader safety concerns for Iranian athletes. Following the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, all members of the Iranian women’s national team were offered asylum due to fears for their safety upon returning to Iran. While seven initially accepted, only two ultimately remained in Australia.

FIFA’s Responsibility

Beau Busch, Asia-Pacific president of FIFPRO, emphasized FIFA’s responsibility to ensure the safety of all participants at the World Cup. He stated that FIFA must conduct a comprehensive human rights impact assessment to identify and mitigate any potential risks.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, hosted across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.