Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, told Politico that his country’s national soccer team should compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the obvious elephant in the room: the tournament is being co-hosted by the United States, a country with which Iran has a relationship best described as “complicated.”
“Some believe Iran should not participate in these competitions because America attacked our country, but our view is humanitarian,” Pasandideh said. “We believe sports can help spread peace. We have no problem with the American people.”
The Tijuana workaround
Iran’s national team has set up its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, because US visa restrictions require players to enter and exit American territory on the same day they play their matches.
The coaching staff hasn’t had it much easier. Mission-based personnel have reported difficulties obtaining the necessary visas, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already fraught situation. Iran is slated to play in Group G against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, and FIFA has kept those fixtures on the schedule.
