FIFA President Gianni Infantino has officially announced his opposition to any proposal to move Iran’s matches away from the United States, putting an end to growing speculation over a potential venue change.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Infantino confirmed that the matches scheduled to be played on American soil will remain in place as originally planned. The decision comes after weeks of discussions regarding the political tensions surrounding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s participation in international competitions hosted in the United States.
“The matches will be played in the United States as scheduled,” Infantino said in his official statement. “There is no reason to move them. Football must remain separate from politics.”
The FIFA chief’s remarks put an end to rumors that had circulated in recent days, suggesting that Iran’s fixtures could be relocated to a neutral venue due to diplomatic strains between Tehran and Washington. Several media outlets had reported that Iranian officials were pushing for a change of location, citing concerns over visa issues and the safety of their delegation.
Infantino, however, made it clear that FIFA would not entertain such a request. He emphasized that the tournament’s schedule and venue allocations had been agreed upon well in advance and that any last-minute changes would disrupt the integrity of the competition.
“We have a clear calendar and a clear host country,” Infantino added. “All participating teams, including Iran, have accepted these conditions. We will not reopen this discussion.”
The decision is a significant blow to Iranian football authorities, who had hoped to secure a neutral venue for their national team’s matches. Sources close to the Iranian Football Federation had previously indicated that they were exploring options to play outside the United States, citing what they described as “unprecedented political pressure.”
Despite these efforts, Infantino’s firm stance leaves Iran with no alternative but to travel to the United States for their upcoming fixtures. The first of these matches is scheduled for June 2026, as part of the group stage of the FIFA World Cup.
Iran has been drawn into Group B alongside England, the United States, and a yet-to-be-determined playoff winner. The match against the United States, in particular, has drawn intense political attention, given the long-standing tensions between the two nations.
Infantino’s statement is expected to calm concerns among tournament organizers and host cities, who had feared that a venue change could create logistical chaos. The United States is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, and any relocation of matches would have required significant adjustments to the schedule and infrastructure.
For now, Iran’s participation in the United States remains confirmed, and all eyes will be on the political and sporting dynamics that unfold as the tournament approaches.
