Mexico will host the Iranian national soccer team as its base during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, President Claudia Sheinbaum said.
The arrangement resolves a diplomatic and logistical hurdle for the tournament, as the Iranian team must travel to the United States for group-stage matches despite the U.S. refusing to host their base of operations.
Sheinbaum announced the decision on March 18, 2024 [2], and said that Mexico is prepared to welcome the squad. "Mexico will host Iran's national soccer team for the World Cup after the United States refused to do so," Sheinbaum said.
The U.S. decision to decline hosting the team follows a period of heightened geopolitical tension. Reports indicate the refusal stems from attacks launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iran in February 2024.
Under the current plan, the Iranian athletes will maintain their primary residence and training facilities in Mexico. They will cross the border into the U.S. specifically for their scheduled competition dates.
"We are happy to welcome the Iranian team in Mexico and ensure they have a safe base during the tournament," Sheinbaum said. She said that she has no issue with the country serving as the host for the team.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026 [1]. The tournament is being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., making the coordination of team bases a critical component of the event's infrastructure.
By providing a sanctuary for the Iranian team, Mexico avoids a potential crisis where a qualified national team would have no designated home base within the host region.
“"Mexico will host Iran's national soccer team for the World Cup after the United States refused to do so."”
This decision highlights the friction between international sporting diplomacy and national security interests. By stepping in, Mexico prevents a logistical failure for FIFA while asserting a distinct foreign policy from the U.S., positioning itself as a neutral ground for teams that the U.S. government deems diplomatic adversaries.
