In a significant development ahead of the FIFA World Cup, Mexico has agreed to host Iran’s national football team after the United States reportedly declined to accommodate the squad during the tournament. Despite Iran’s group-stage matches still taking place in the U.S., logistical arrangements have shifted, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirming that FIFA reached out to Mexico following the U.S.’s decision.
The Iranian team’s new training base will be located in Tijuana, Mexico, close to the U.S. border near San Diego, California. This change was officially announced by FIFA, which updated the list of team base camps for the tournament. Initially, Iran had intended to set up its World Cup base in Tucson, Arizona, but escalating tensions in the Middle East and U.S. sanctions on Iran reportedly complicated these plans.
President Sheinbaum stated that Mexico is fully prepared to host the Iranian squad and is working closely with FIFA to finalize the necessary logistical arrangements. This decision comes as a welcoming gesture amidst geopolitical tensions, reflecting Mexico’s commitment to the integrity of the tournament.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, noted that relocating to Tijuana would help circumvent potential visa issues. He mentioned that the team could travel directly to Mexico via Iran Air flights, easing their participation in the event.
While the U.S. State Department affirmed that Iran remains welcome to compete in the World Cup, it refrained from commenting on the decision not to host the team within the United States. The FIFA World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will take place from June 11 to July 19.
