In a recent development, Mexico has taken on the role of hosting Iran’s national football team for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, following reports that the United States declined to accommodate the team during the tournament. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that FIFA had reached out to Mexico after U.S. authorities decided not to host the Iranian squad overnight, even though Iran’s matches in the group stage will still be held within the United States.
Iran’s new training base has been established in Tijuana, a city close to the U.S. border and near San Diego, California. This change was officially confirmed by FIFA, which released the updated list of team base camp locations for the World Cup. Initially, Iran had planned to set up its World Cup base in Tucson, Arizona, but rising tensions in the Middle East and issues linked to U.S. sanctions on Iran reportedly made the original arrangements more complicated.
President Sheinbaum expressed that Mexico is willing to host the Iranian team and is currently working with FIFA to ensure all logistical aspects are sorted out before the tournament begins. The adjustment is seen as a seamless transition, with Mexico stepping in to provide a convenient location for the Iranian squad.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, indicated that relocating to Tijuana could also help the team sidestep potential visa issues. He mentioned that the team could fly directly to Mexico on Iran Air, smoothing the travel process. Despite the U.S. State Department’s statement that Iran is welcome to participate in the World Cup, they did not provide any explanation for why the team would not be staying within the U.S. during the tournament.
The FIFA World Cup, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, will be a collaborative hosting effort between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With the tournament approaching, the arrangement for Iran’s team in Tijuana underscores the international coordination efforts required to accommodate all participating nations amid complex geopolitical dynamics.
