By Kwame Bediako
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that Mexico will host Iran’s national football team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after the United States declined to host the squad for the duration of the tournament.
Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group‑stage matches in the U.S. (two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle) but will now base its camp and stay in Mexico, with the team expected to be headquartered in the border city of Tijuana.
The U.S. expressed reluctance to host the Iranian team, reportedly due to political and security concerns, prompting FIFA to approach Mexico for an alternative.
The move to Tijuana, just south of San Diego, also helps Iran manage visa issues, allowing the squad to travel directly to Mexico on Iran Air flights while still being close to their U.S. match venues.
Sheinbaum said Mexico has “no justification to refuse them the opportunity to remain in Mexico,” framing the decision as one of openness and sports diplomacy.
The arrangement preserves Iran’s participation in the tournament while avoiding the diplomatic friction that could come from refusing entry, even as the team’s games themselves remain in the United States.
