Mexico says it will host Iranian team during 2026 FIFA World Cup | World Cup 2026 News
Mexico to Host Iranian Football Team During FIFA World Cup
MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Monday that Mexico will serve as hosts for the Iranian national football team during the upcoming FIFA World Cup, following tensions between Iran and the United States.
Sheinbaum stated that FIFA, the global governing body of football, reached out to Mexico for assistance after the U.S. expressed reluctance to allow the Iranian team to stay in the country. “We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico,” she remarked during her daily press conference.
Iran had initially planned to play all three of its group matches in the United States, but the previous administration under President Donald Trump indicated it would not be “appropriate” for Iranian team members to be present in the country “for their own life and safety.” As of now, the U.S. has not issued the necessary visas for the Iranian team, despite previous statements from Trump that suggested players and staff would be “welcome.”
The complicated geopolitical situation remains fraught, as the U.S. and Israel have been at war with Iran since February 28, with ongoing peace negotiations that have yet to yield results. Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj confirmed on Sunday that the team plans to relocate its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico. With approval from FIFA officials, the move aims to circumvent visa complications, allowing the team to travel directly to Mexico.
While the shift to Mexico may simplify logistics, the ongoing conflict has cast uncertainty over the Iranian team’s participation in the World Cup. Since the conflict began, reports indicate that approximately 3,468 people have died in Iran, with over 26,500 injuries reported. The war has also contributed to economic instability, impacting fuel prices and agricultural commodities globally.
Iran’s football team, recognized as one of the leading squads in Asia, is making its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance. However, Trump has expressed mixed sentiments about the team’s participation, sometimes suggesting they should withdraw from the tournament. In March, when asked about Iran’s presence, he indicated a lack of concern, describing Iran as a “badly defeated country.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, featuring 78 matches in the United States, including the final on June 11. Iran is scheduled to play its first two matches in Group G: against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, followed by a match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Concerns about the U.S. as a welcoming host have also arisen, given the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies. A suspension on visa processing for applicants from nearly 75 countries, including Iran and several other World Cup participants, has raised further questions.
Sheinbaum confirmed that she was approached by the Iranian team and FIFA officials regarding accommodation for the players and staff. “The United States doesn’t want the Iranian team to spend the night,” she said. “So they asked us, ‘Can we stay the night in Mexico?’ We said sure, no problem.”
