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FIFA has refused to alter the 2026 World Cup schedule despite Iran’s safety concerns amid US tensions, insisting all matches will go ahead as planned.
The FIFA World Cup, on display (AFP)
Oh well, it seems FIFA’s much-talked-about “neutral stance” on geopolitics is being put to the test.
Despite rising tensions in the Middle East, FIFA has made it clear: there will be no changes to the 2026 World Cup schedule.
Iran Pushes For Change
The update comes after Iran’s football federation explored the possibility of moving their matches out of the United States and into Mexico, citing player safety concerns.
Those concerns aren’t without context.
Ongoing conflict involving US and Israeli strikes on Iran — and Iran’s subsequent responses — has created a volatile backdrop. Add to that comments from Donald Trump, and tensions have only escalated.
“They are welcome to the World Cup,” Trump said in a Truth Social post, before adding it may not be “appropriate” for them to attend “for their own life and safety.”
Iran’s Strong Response
Iranian FA president Mehdi Taj made the country’s stance clear:
“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America.”
The concern was echoed at government level, with sports minister Ahmad Donyamali stating, “Under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate.”
FIFA Stays “Neutral”
Yet FIFA isn’t budging.
The Athletic reported that a spokesperson reiterated that the governing body remains in contact with all participating nations but is fully committed to the existing schedule announced in December 2025.
“FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule.”
That means Iran’s games, including fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle, remain unchanged.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is already shaping up to be one of the most politically charged editions in recent memory.
FIFA’s stance seems to be ‘football first, politics later’. That’s rich, to say the least — coming from the organisation that awarded Trump a “Peace Prize”.
March 17, 2026, 8:47 PM IST
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