Iran will use Mexico as its operational base during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the United States opted against accommodating the team throughout the tournament.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government agreed to host the Iranian squad following discussions with FIFA. Under the arrangement, the team will stay in Mexico and travel to the United States only for its scheduled matches.
"We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico," Sheinbaum told reporters during her daily briefing.
Iran is scheduled to play all three of its Group G matches in the United States, facing New Zealand national football team in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium national football team in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt national football team in Seattle on June 26.
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The decision follows concerns that emerged after tensions between the United States and Iran escalated earlier this year. US President Donald Trump previously indicated that while Iran was welcome to participate in the World Cup, keeping the team in the United States for an extended period might not be appropriate because of security considerations.
Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj recently confirmed that the team's original training base in Arizona would be replaced by a camp in the Mexican border city of Tijuana. FIFA has since approved the change.
According to Taj, the move will help the team avoid visa complications and simplify travel arrangements, including access to direct flights between Iran and Mexico.
Questions over Iran's participation in the tournament intensified following the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States earlier this year. At one stage, there were discussions about relocating Iran's matches to Mexico, but FIFA retained the original schedule.
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