Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that Mexico will host the Iranian national football team during the upcoming FIFA World Cup, following tensions with the United States. This decision comes after FIFA approached Mexico for assistance, as the U.S. expressed its unwillingness to accommodate the Iranian team.

Iran's Change of Plans

During a media conference on Monday, Sheinbaum stated, “We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico.” Initially, Iran was set to play all three of its group matches in the U.S. However, the Trump administration has previously indicated that it would not be “appropriate” for Iranian team members to be present in the country, citing concerns for their safety. As a result, the necessary visas for the Iranian team to travel to the U.S. have not been granted, despite claims that players and staff would be “welcome.”

Training Base Relocation

Mehdi Taj, head of Iran’s football federation, confirmed that the team will relocate its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico. This decision was made after discussions with FIFA officials in Istanbul and an online meeting with FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom. Taj noted that moving to Mexico would help the team avoid visa issues, allowing them to travel directly via Iran Air flights.

The ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has raised uncertainties regarding the Iranian team's participation in the World Cup. Since the conflict began on February 28, there have been significant casualties in Iran, with over 3,468 reported deaths and more than 26,500 injuries. The war has also disrupted the global economy, affecting fuel and agricultural prices.

Despite these challenges, Iran's football team remains a strong contender in the region, currently ranking highly within the Asian Football Confederation. Their participation in the 2026 World Cup will mark their fourth consecutive qualification. However, mixed signals from Trump regarding Iran's presence at the tournament have added to the uncertainty surrounding their involvement.