Iran’s Soccer Team Flies From Mexico After US Visa Denial
Iran's national soccer team will base in Mexico during the 2026 World Cup and cross the border only for matches after the U.S. refused to let the squad stay on American soil.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed Monday that FIFA approached her government after U.S. authorities made clear they did not want the Iranian team residing in the country for the duration of the June 11 to July 19 competition, despite Iran being scheduled to play all three of its Group G matches on American soil.
Sheinbaum told reporters at her daily press conference that Mexico has no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in the country, offering a diplomatic solution to the logistical standoff.
Iran is set to face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The team will now sleep in Mexico and make day trips into the United States for each fixture.
Trump Administration Cites Safety Concerns
President Donald Trump said in March that while Iran was welcome to participate in the World Cup, he did not believe it was appropriate for the Iranian team to remain in the United States for their own life and safety. The White House and State Department have not issued further comment on the decision.
Mehdi Taj, head of Iran’s football federation, announced Saturday that the team’s base camp would be relocated from Arizona to the Mexican border city of Tijuana during the tournament. FIFA officially confirmed the move Monday.
Taj indicated the change would help circumvent visa-related complications and enable direct Iran Air flights to Mexico, streamlining travel logistics for the squad.
Geopolitical Tensions Cast Shadow Over Tournament
Iran’s World Cup participation has been under intense scrutiny since late February, when the United States joined Israel in military strikes against Iran, triggering a broader conflict that raised serious questions about whether Tehran would send its team to compete in one of the host nations.
In March, Taj revealed Iran was in discussions with FIFA about relocating its group stage matches entirely to Mexico on safety grounds. Sheinbaum signaled Mexico’s willingness to host the games, but FIFA ultimately kept the schedule unchanged.
The uncertainty surrounding Iran’s involvement sparked wider speculation about the nation’s place in the tournament. In April, Trump’s envoy for global partnerships, Paolo Zampolli, controversially suggested Italy should replace Iran, a proposal that drew dismissive responses from Italian officials and FIFA.
Iran qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup by topping its group in the third round of Asian qualifying last year.
With information from New York Post
