Iran's national football team will stay in Mexico and travel to the United States for their World Cup matches, after the United States declined to host them, a decision confirmed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
The team’s base will be relocated from Arizona to the border city of Tijuana, a move intended to sidestep visa complications that could have barred them from entering the United States during the tournament.
A temporary home in Tijuana
Three Group G fixtures are scheduled on U.S. soil against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, and the players will use the Mexican territory as a staging ground while maintaining their competitive rhythm.
The arrangement follows a period of heightened tension between Washington and Tehran, marked by recent attacks and safety concerns that have cast a shadow over the team’s preparations.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump remarked that Iran was welcome to participate but should not remain in the United States for safety reasons, underscoring the political sensitivities surrounding the squad’s presence.
FIFA has kept the competition schedule unchanged despite speculation about Iran’s participation, and the governing body confirmed the relocation of the team’s base to Tijuana, affirming that the move aligns with safety assessments.
Iran secured its World Cup berth by topping the Asian qualifying group, and the squad now faces the unique challenge of navigating diplomatic hurdles while focusing on performance on the pitch.