Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Monday that Iran would temporarily base itself in Mexico during the tournament to avoid potential visa and security complications in the US.
Mexico has agreed to host Iran’s national football team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the United States reportedly declined to allow the team remain overnight on American soil, amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Monday that Iran would temporarily base itself in Mexico during the tournament to avoid potential visa and security complications in the US.
Iran’s national team, which is scheduled to play all three of its group-stage matches in US cities, had earlier announced that FIFA approved its arrangement to stay across the border in Mexico between games.
“The United States doesn’t want the Iranian team to spend the night,” Sheinbaum said during her daily press conference. “So they asked us, ‘can we stay the night in Mexico? We said sure, no problem.'”
