The Iranian national team will now not be based in the USA for the World Cup, but in Tijuana, Mexico.
May 26, 2026, 03:51May 26, 2026, 03:51
The reason, according to President Claudia Sheinbaum, is the USA’s unwillingness to host the team. “The United States does not want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the USA,” said the Mexican head of state.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.Image: keystone
Sheinbaum said FIFA asked Mexico if it would be willing to accommodate the Iranians. The answer was: “Yes, no problem, we have no objections,” said the head of state.
The Iranians’ new location will be the Mexican city of Tijuana, located on the border with the USA, as FIFA has now confirmed. Sheinbaum had said shortly before that details were still being examined.
The journey to Los Angeles is now shorter
The Iranian national team was originally supposed to stay in Tucson, Arizona. Mehdi Taj, President of the Iranian Football Association, cited the distance to Los Angeles, where Iran is playing its first two group games against New Zealand and Belgium, as the official reason for the move. Due to the neighborhood’s proximity to the US border, the journey to Los Angeles only takes about an hour. The problems relating to visas and entry have also been largely clarified, said the association president.
Iran has been at war with the USA since the end of February. The entry of the Iranian national team into the United States caused controversy. Representatives of the Iranian Football Association recently met with FIFA in Istanbul to discuss Iran’s participation in the World Cup. (sda/dpa)