Amid preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Mexico has stepped in to host Iran’s national football team after reports emerged that the United States declined to accommodate the squad during the tournament. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that FIFA had reached out to Mexico following the U.S. decision, even though Iran’s matches in the group stage will still take place on American soil.
Iran’s new training hub will be located in Tijuana, Mexico, strategically positioned near the U.S. border and within proximity to San Diego, California. FIFA has confirmed this adjustment by updating the official list of team base camp locations for the event. Initially, Iran had planned to establish its World Cup base in Tucson, Arizona, but escalating tensions in the Middle East and issues related to U.S. sanctions on Iran reportedly led to complications with those plans.
President Sheinbaum expressed Mexico’s willingness to host the Iranian team, stating that the country has no reservations about accommodating them. She added that Mexican officials are collaborating with FIFA to iron out the logistical details before the tournament begins. Meanwhile, Mehdi Taj, the president of Iran’s Football Federation, stated that relocating to Tijuana would help bypass any potential visa challenges. He also mentioned that Iran Air flights would facilitate the team’s travel directly to Mexico.
Despite the change in plans, the U.S. State Department has reiterated that Iran is welcome to participate in the World Cup. However, it did not provide any specific reasons for the decision against allowing the team to reside in the U.S. during the competition. The World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, running from June 11 to July 19.