Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum draws Mexico during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on December 5, 2025. She said Monday that the Iran national soccer team will be staying in Mexico during the upcoming World Cup. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
May 26 (UPI) -- President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed Monday that her government will allow the Iranian national soccer team to stay in Mexico while competing in the World Cup.
The quadrennial soccer event is being held June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico and the United States. All three of Iran's scheduled group stage matches are in the United States, the first two in Los Angeles and the third in Seattle.
Following months of uncertainty about the team's ability to travel to the United States for the games amid the U.S.-Iran war, Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said in a video statement over the weekend that they would be based in Tijuana, Mexico, and would fly to their games in the United States.
Speaking to reporters during a Monday press conference, Sheinbaum said FIFA had asked Mexico if the Iranian athletes could stay within its borders as Washington did not want them staying in the United States overnight.
