Mexico to Host Iran’s World Cup Team After U.S. Refusal, President Says

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that Mexico agreed to allow Iran’s national soccer team to stay in the country during the World Cup after the United States declined to host the squad for the duration of the tournament. Sheinbaum said FIFA approached her government after the U.S. said it did not want Iran’s team remaining in the country, even though Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group-stage matches in the United States. She said Mexico had “no reason” to deny the team a place to stay.

The comments came during Sheinbaum’s daily news conference in Mexico City. The White House and the U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj said Saturday that the team’s base would be moved from Arizona to Tijuana, a Mexican border city, for the tournament. He said the change would help avoid visa complications and allow the squad to travel directly to Mexico on Iran Air flights.

Iran’s participation in the June 11-July 19 tournament had already drawn attention amid tensions following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February. The team’s World Cup plans had been under scrutiny since then.

Iran is placed in Group G and will open against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. The team will then face Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles before finishing group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

The arrangement means Iran’s players and staff would be based outside the United States while still competing in U.S. stadiums for all three group matches. The move reflects the logistical and diplomatic complications surrounding the team’s tournament participation as political tensions continue to shape preparations ahead of the World Cup.