In a significant development for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Mexico has agreed to host Iran’s national football team after the United States reportedly declined to accommodate the squad during the tournament. This decision comes despite Iran’s group-stage matches being scheduled to take place in the United States.
México’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, announced that FIFA reached out to Mexico following the US authorities’ decision not to host the Iranian team overnight. As a result, Iran’s team will now establish its training base in Tijuana, Mexico, which is conveniently located near the US border and close to San Diego, California. FIFA has officially confirmed this adjustment by updating the team base camp locations for the tournament.
Initially, Iran intended to set up its World Cup base in Tucson, Arizona. However, the escalating tensions in the Middle East and concerns related to US sanctions on Iran have made those plans unfeasible. In response, Mexico expressed its willingness to accommodate the Iranian squad, with President Sheinbaum affirming that the nation had no issues with the arrangement. Mexico is currently working closely with FIFA to iron out the remaining logistical details ahead of the tournament.
Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iran Football Federation, noted that relocating to Tijuana would help the team avoid potential visa complications. He mentioned that the team would be able to travel directly to Mexico using flights operated by Iran Air. Meanwhile, the US State Department has maintained that Iran is welcome to participate in the World Cup, though it did not provide specifics on why the team would not be staying within the US during the event.
This year’s FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19. The relocation of Iran’s team to Mexico marks a notable shift in the tournament’s logistics, prompted by international diplomatic considerations.