Mexico has agreed to accommodate Iran’s national football team for the upcoming FIFA World Cup after the United States reportedly declined to host them. Despite the team’s group-stage matches being scheduled in the U.S., the Iranian squad will be based in Tijuana, Mexico, near the U.S. border and close to San Diego, California. This arrangement was confirmed by FIFA when they released the official list of team base camp locations for the tournament.
The decision came after U.S. authorities reportedly denied the Iranian team overnight accommodations, prompting FIFA to request Mexico’s assistance. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico had no reservations about hosting the Iranian team and is working with FIFA to iron out the logistical details necessary for the tournament.
Originally, Iran planned to set up its World Cup base in Tucson, Arizona. However, escalating tensions in the Middle East and complications related to U.S. sanctions on Iran led to a change in plans. Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, noted that moving the team’s training base to Tijuana could also help circumvent potential visa issues. He mentioned that the Iranian team could travel directly to Mexico using Iran Air flights.
The U.S. State Department has stated that Iran is still welcome to participate in the World Cup but did not elaborate on the reasons for not allowing the team to stay in the country during the event. The FIFA World Cup is set to take place from June 11 to July 19, with the United States, Mexico, and Canada jointly hosting the tournament.