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Mexico has agreed to accommodate Iran’s national football team during the 2026 World Cup to help them avoid visa-related restrictions in the United States, President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday.
Sheinbaum said the arrangement was made after Iran’s football authorities requested permission to stay in Mexico while travelling for matches scheduled in the United States.
“The United States doesn’t want the Iranian team to spend the night,” Sheinbaum told reporters in her daily press conference.
“So they asked us, can we stay the night in Mexico? We said sure, no problem.”
According to her, the request became necessary due to visa complications related to the Iranian squad’s travel arrangements during the tournament.
Iran’s national team will play its group-stage matches in US cities but will be based in Mexico between games.
The team had initially planned to camp in Arizona, but later opted for a base in the border city of Tijuana, allowing easier movement between fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Sheinbaum explained that Mexican authorities are working with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to coordinate logistics for the team’s stay.
She added that the arrangement was approved after consultations, stressing that Mexico had no objection to hosting the team during the competition period.
Iran, which is placed in Group G, will begin its World Cup campaign on June 15 against New Zealand.
