FIFA has decided not to relocate the matches of the Iranian national team, despite a request from the Football Federation of Iran. The organization's president, Mehdi Taj, had previously reported on negotiations with FIFA and expressed concerns about the safety of the team amid escalating conflict.
Additional security threats have worsened following comments from Donald Trump, who stated that he could not guarantee protection for Iranian players, although the team itself has the right to participate in the tournament. As a result of the draw, Iran ended up in Group G, where its opponents are Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. All group matches are scheduled to take place in U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and Seattle.
FIFA notes that the championship will proceed according to the established schedule, and relocating matches is not feasible due to complex logistics, including already sold tickets and potential changes in the playoffs. Given the ongoing conflicts, Iran's participation remains in question, as the country's authorities are considering a boycott of the tournament. Thus, issues related to Iran are becoming an important political aspect that could impact the organization of the 2026 World Cup.
