Mexico will host the Iranian national football team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the United States refused to host the squad [1, 2, 3].
The move highlights the diplomatic friction between the U.S. and Iran, forcing a logistical shift for one of the tournament's competing nations during a multi-country event.
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the decision on Monday, May 25 [1, 2]. The Iranian team was originally slated to utilize a training base in Arizona [4]. However, the U.S. government declined to host the team, prompting the Mexican administration to step in and provide an alternative location [1, 2].
"The United States did not want to host the Iranian football team, so we have agreed to allow them to stay in Mexico," Sheinbaum said [1].
The Iranian national team will now be based in Tijuana, Mexico [1, 4]. This location serves as the new hub for the team's preparations and residence during the tournament. Sheinbaum said that she has no issue with her country hosting the team [2].
"We have agreed to let the Iranian national football team stay in Mexico during the World Cup," Sheinbaum said [3].
The relocation ensures that the Iranian squad can participate in the competition despite the lack of a host facility within U.S. borders. The decision by Mexico to provide housing and training facilities prevents a potential crisis regarding the team's eligibility, or ability to compete effectively, in the tournament [1, 2].
“"The United States did not want to host the Iranian football team, so we have agreed to allow them to stay in Mexico."”
This relocation underscores the complexities of hosting a global sporting event across three nations when geopolitical tensions persist. By relocating the Iranian team to Tijuana, Mexico provides a pragmatic solution that allows FIFA to maintain the tournament's integrity while the U.S. maintains its diplomatic stance toward Tehran.
