Mexico has stepped up to host Iran’s national football team during the upcoming FIFA World Cup, following a decision by the United States to reportedly not allow the team to stay within its borders throughout the tournament. This development was confirmed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who stated that FIFA requested Mexico’s assistance after U.S. authorities declined to accommodate the Iranian squad overnight, despite the fact that Iran’s group-stage matches are scheduled to take place in the United States.
The Iranian team’s new training base will now be located in Tijuana, Mexico, a city situated near the U.S. border and close to San Diego, California. FIFA has officially announced this adjustment while unveiling the list of team base camp locations for the tournament. Initially, Iran had planned to establish its World Cup camp in Tucson, Arizona. However, escalating tensions in the Middle East, compounded by concerns related to U.S. sanctions on Iran, reportedly complicated these initial plans.
President Sheinbaum expressed that Mexico is open to accommodating the Iranian football squad and is currently working with FIFA to sort out the logistical details ahead of the World Cup. Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, noted that relocating to Tijuana will help the team sidestep potential visa-related issues. He also mentioned that the team will have the convenience of traveling directly to Mexico via Iran Air flights.
While the U.S. State Department stated that Iran remains welcome to participate in the World Cup, it did not provide any comments regarding the decision not to host the team within the United States during the event. The FIFA World Cup is set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, offering a platform for international teams to showcase their talents across North America.