Iran squad to commute from Mexico for World Cup matches after US refuses extended stay

Iran’s footballers will travel from Mexico into the United States solely for matchdays during the 2026 World Cup, after Washington refused to allow the squad to reside on American soil for the duration of the tournament. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the arrangement on Monday, saying FIFA had approached her government after the US decision was made.

“We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico,” Sheinbaum told reporters at her daily press conference. FIFA confirmed the move the same day.

Mehdi Taj, head of Iran’s football federation, said the team’s base would shift from Arizona to the Mexican border city of Tijuana. He added that the arrangement would help avoid visa complications and allow direct Iran Air flights into Mexico. Iran’s three Group G fixtures are scheduled for Los Angeles on 15 June against New Zealand, Los Angeles again on 21 June against Belgium, and Seattle on 26 June against Egypt.

President Donald Trump said in March that Iran was welcome to compete in the tournament but that he did not believe it was appropriate for the Iranian team to remain in the United States “for their own life and safety.” Neither the White House nor the State Department responded to requests for comment on the matter.

The situation has been complicated by broader geopolitical tensions. In late February, the United States joined Israel in attacks on Iran, triggering a war that raised early doubts about whether Tehran would send its team to a co-hosted tournament on American soil. In March, Taj said Iran had been in talks with FIFA about relocating its group matches to Mexico entirely on safety grounds; FIFA kept the schedule unchanged.

Speculation about Iran’s participation intensified in April when Trump’s envoy for global partnerships, Paolo Zampolli, suggested Italy should replace Iran at the tournament. Italian officials and FIFA both responded dismissively.

Iran qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup by topping their group in the third round of Asian qualifying last year.