Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday she has “no issue” with Mexico hosting Iran’s World Cup team after its training base was moved from the United States ahead of the summer tournament.
Iran will still play its group-stage matches in the U.S., but its base camp has been moved to Tijuana, just south of San Diego, according to an announcement from the Iranian Football Federation that was later confirmed Monday by FIFA.
The change comes amid ongoing conflict involving Iran following a military escalation by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28.
Speaking at a news conference, Sheinbaum said a FIFA representative told her the U.S. was reluctant to allow the Iranian squad to remain on American soil outside match days, prompting the relocation of its base camp to Mexico.
“The United States doesn’t want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States,” Sheinbaum told reporters. She said a FIFA representative then asked, “Can they stay overnight in Mexico?”
