Mexico has agreed to host the Iran national football team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the United States reportedly declined to allow the squad to stay overnight on American soil.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that her country had “no issue” hosting Iran’s team during the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
According to reports, Iran’s World Cup training base has officially been moved from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Iran Still Scheduled to Play Matches in the US
Despite the relocation of its training base, Iran’s group-stage matches will still take place inside the United States during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before taking on Egypt in Seattle.
FIFA reportedly approved the move after discussions involving tournament organizers, the Iranian Football Federation, and officials from the host nations.
The decision is expected to allow Iran’s squad to travel into the U.S. only for official matches before returning to Mexico afterward.
Political Tensions Influence Decision
The development comes amid rising tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel following months of conflict in the Middle East.
Reports suggest U.S. authorities raised security and visa concerns linked to Iran’s participation and overnight stay arrangements during the tournament.
US President Donald Trump had earlier indicated that Iran would still be allowed to participate in the tournament but should not remain in the country outside official match activities.
The controversy sparked global debate over politics influencing international sporting events.
Mexico Welcomes Iran
President Sheinbaum said Mexico was willing to assist and host the Iranian team despite the diplomatic tensions surrounding the issue.
“There is no issue with hosting them,” the Mexican leader reportedly stated while confirming the arrangement.
Iran’s new base camp in Tijuana is expected to help the team manage travel logistics and visa complications more easily during the competition.
The city is located near the U.S. border, making travel to match venues more manageable.
FIFA Keeps Original Match Schedule
Despite earlier speculation that Iran’s matches could be moved entirely to Mexico, FIFA decided to keep the original schedule unchanged.
Officials reportedly wanted to avoid major disruptions to tournament logistics, stadium planning, ticketing, and fan travel arrangements.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 and marks the first tournament hosted by three countries.
Iran qualified for the tournament after finishing top of its Asian qualifying group and will make its seventh World Cup appearance.
Debate Over Politics and Sports Continues
The situation has reignited discussions about politics, security, and international relations affecting global sporting competitions.
Some football fans argued that sports should remain separate from political disputes, while others supported tighter security measures due to ongoing regional tensions.
The controversy also highlighted growing concerns surrounding visas, international travel restrictions, and diplomatic conflicts ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Despite the tensions, FIFA has maintained that all qualified nations will participate in the tournament.
Global Attention on 2026 World Cup
The decision to relocate Iran’s base camp has attracted major international attention as preparations for the tournament continue.
Security experts say the situation could lead to increased protection measures during the World Cup, especially for politically sensitive teams and matches.
Meanwhile, football fans around the world continue monitoring how political tensions may affect the biggest football tournament globally.
For now, Iran remains officially part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Mexico stepping in to host the team during the competition.
