Iran’s national soccer team will be accommodated in Mexico and will commute to the U.S. for its three World Cup matches after the U.S. declined to host the team, as announced by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday. Sheinbaum revealed that FIFA reached out to the Mexican government following the U.S.’s decision not to host Iran during the June 11-July 19 tournament, despite Iran’s scheduled participation in three Group G matches in the U.S.
“We see no grounds to refuse them the opportunity to stay in Mexico,” Sheinbaum stated during her regular press briefing. Iran’s upcoming matches include New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
The White House and the State Department did not provide immediate comments when approached for a response.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concerns in March about Iran’s safety in the U.S. during the World Cup, emphasizing that while Iran was welcome to compete, he believed it was not suitable for the team to remain in the United States for their own safety.
Mehdi Taj, the head of Iran’s football federation, announced that the team’s base would be relocated from Arizona to Tijuana, a Mexican city bordering the U.S., for the tournament. This move aims to avoid visa complications and facilitate direct Iran Air flights to Mexico.
Iran’s World Cup plans have been closely monitored since late February, following the U.S. and Israel’s joint military actions against Iran. These actions raised uncertainties about whether Tehran would send its team to participate in the tournament in the host countries.
In March, Taj mentioned discussions with FIFA regarding relocating Iran’s group matches to Mexico for safety reasons, to which Sheinbaum expressed Mexico’s willingness to host the matches. Despite speculations, FIFA maintained the original schedule.
The situation sparked rumors about Iran’s participation in the tournament, with suggestions in April from Trump’s global partnerships envoy that Italy should replace Iran. However, Italian officials and FIFA dismissed this proposal.
Iran secured its spot in the fourth consecutive World Cup by leading its group in the third round of Asian qualifying last year.