In a notable development ahead of the FIFA World Cup, Mexico has stepped up to host Iran’s national football team, following the United States’ decision not to allow the team to stay within its borders for the duration of the tournament. This decision comes despite Iran’s group-stage matches being scheduled to take place in the United States.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that FIFA had approached Mexico with a request to accommodate the Iranian squad. This followed the US authorities’ refusal to host the team overnight. Consequently, Iran’s training base has been relocated to Tijuana, Mexico, a location conveniently near the US border and close to San Diego, California. FIFA has officially acknowledged this change by updating the list of team base camp locations for the event.
Initially, Iran had planned to set up its World Cup base in Tucson, Arizona. However, escalating tensions in the Middle East, coupled with issues related to US sanctions on Iran, reportedly complicated these initial arrangements. President Sheinbaum expressed that Mexico had no reservations about hosting the Iranian team and is currently working with FIFA to iron out the logistical details before the tournament kicks off.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, commented on the move to Tijuana, indicating that it would help the team avoid potential visa complications. He also noted that direct flights from Iran to Mexico via Iran Air would facilitate the team’s travel plans. Meanwhile, the US State Department has stated that Iran remains welcome to participate in the World Cup, though it did not offer insights into the decision to not host the team during the event.
The FIFA World Cup is set to be a collaborative effort, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, spanning from June 11 to July 19. This arrangement underscores the significant diplomatic and logistical cooperation required to successfully host such a prestigious international event.