Iran proposed moving its matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from the United States to Mexico, against the backdrop of ongoing tensions and conflict in the Middle East.

Ahmad Donya-Mali, the Iranian Minister of Sports, stated in remarks reported by the Islamic Republic News Agency that the ministry may consider this proposal with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) in the coming period.

Donyamali explained that the goal is to ensure the Iranian national team's participation in the tournament, saying: "We hope that conditions will be prepared so that our players can eventually participate in the World Cup."

He added that it is essential to address the various aspects related to sports to ensure the continued participation of the national team in the tournament.

The Iranian national football team is scheduled to play in the group stage against the national football teams of Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt. These matches will be held in the United States, which is co-hosting the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year.

The Iranian minister had earlier hinted at the possibility of his country's team missing the tournament, before a controversial statement by U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Iran's participation might be "inappropriate" for security reasons, which Tehran rejected, asserting that decisions regarding participation are exclusively up to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).