Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said Mexico has “no issue” with hosting Iran’s national football team for its World Cup 2026 base camp after the squad’s training base was shifted from the United States to Tijuana. The development comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and logistical concerns involving Iran’s participation in the tournament co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada.
The Iranian team will continue to play its World Cup matches in the United States but will now be based in Tijuana, just south of San Diego, California, according to Iran’s football federation. The adjustment highlights how political and security considerations are already shaping preparations ahead of the global tournament.
Sheinbaum said she was informed by FIFA that the United States was reluctant to allow the Iranian team to remain overnight on US soil during the competition.
“The United States doesn’t want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States,” Sheinbaum told reporters at a news conference on Monday as quoted by AP. “And we said, Yes, no problem. We have no issue with that.”
Iran’s fixtures include matches against New Zealand in Inglewood, California on June 15, Belgium six days later, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26. Despite playing across multiple US venues, the team’s operational base will remain in Mexico, a short cross-border commute from Southern California.
Before the latest arrangement, Iran had originally planned to base itself in Tucson, Arizona. However, according to Sheinbaum, the plan changed as tensions escalated in the Middle East following the outbreak of war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Iran’s football federation confirmed the relocation to Tijuana, saying it had received approval from FIFA, though the governing body has not publicly confirmed the change.
FIFA COORDINATION
Teams at the World Cup typically use base camps for training, recovery, and logistical operations throughout the tournament. The 2026 edition runs from June 11 to July 19 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With Iran’s participation now intersecting with diplomatic sensitivities and sanctions-related challenges, its accommodation arrangements have become part of broader tournament planning discussions.
US sanctions on Iran and strained diplomatic relations have long complicated sporting exchanges, often affecting visas, travel logistics, and hosting arrangements. Against this backdrop, FIFA and the three host nations have had to coordinate closely to ensure participating teams can operate smoothly while respecting security and political constraints.
Sheinbaum said Mexico is working in coordination with FIFA to finalize all operational details ahead of the tournament, stressing that the arrangement was handled through official channels. The US State Department, meanwhile, said President Donald Trump had made it clear that Iran’s national team is welcome to participate in the World Cup, although it did not clarify accommodation arrangements or directly address Sheinbaum’s comments.
The cross-border setup between Tijuana and US host cities underscores the unique logistical challenges of a tri-nation World Cup, where political tensions, security considerations, and sporting requirements intersect.
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