Iran will base itself in Mexico for the 2026 World Cup instead of the United States, according to the country's football federation president.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday that she has "no issue" with her country hosting Iran's World Cup team after its training base was moved from the United States to Mexico for the summer football competition.
The Iranian football federation vice-president said Tuesday he was "very confident" in FIFA's protocols as the team prepare to play at the World Cup in the United States.
The team's participation in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, comes amid a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the US which paused 40 days of war that began on February 28.
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described as "excellent" and "constructive" the meeting held on Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian federation to ensure Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran will play their World Cup games in the United States as scheduled as football's power-brokers met in Vancouver.
US President Trump has no objection to Iran's participation in the FIFA World Cup, but US officials require Iranian players to exclude individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Italian officials pushed back hard at the suggestion, with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi saying Thursday that "first of all, it's not possible. Secondly, it's not a good idea."
US president Donald Trump has reportedly received a suggestion to replace Iran with four-time winners Italy at the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be held later this year.
Iran's participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 remains uncertain, with the country's Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali confirming that a final decision will depend on evolving security and political conditions.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that Iran will "for sure" participate in the 2026 World Cup despite the Middle East war.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino told AFP Tuesday that Iran "will be at the World Cup" and will play their group matches in the United States as scheduled, despite the Middle East war.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Tuesday promised to "continue to support" Iran's preparations for the World Cup as he met the Iranian national team for the first time since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on the country a month ago.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended a friendly in Turkey between Iran, whose participation in this year's World Cup is in doubt, and Costa Rica.
Iran's men's national football team made an emotional tribute to the children killed in a recent school bombing in Minab.
In a statement Thursday that did not mention Iran, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said soccer has a key role to "promote peace.
Iran will "boycott the United States" but "not the World Cup", Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj said in a video.
The Iranian women's football team, whose plight has become embroiled in the Middle East war, returned back to Iran on Wednesday where they were promised a welcome ceremony in Tehran.