Iran’s national soccer team will stay in Mexico and commute to the United States for its World Cup matches after U.S. authorities declined to host the squad during the tournament amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
Iran World Cup Base Shift
On Monday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that FIFA approached her government after the U.S. indicated it did not want Iran’s team based in the country during the June 11-July 19 tournament, Reuters reported.
“We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico,” Sheinbaum said during her daily press conference.
Iran is scheduled to play three Group G matches in the U.S., facing New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
On Saturday, Mehdi Taj, head of Iran’s football federation, said the team’s base camp would move from Arizona to the Mexican border city of Tijuana.
He added that the change would help avoid visa-related complications and allow direct Iran Air flights to Mexico.
The White House did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comments.
Iran Rejects Trump Safety Warning
In March, Iran’s national football team responded firmly to President Trump’s safety warnings, stating that no authority could prevent its participation in the FIFA World Cup.
The team also suggested that the U.S., as a host nation, could itself face scrutiny if it failed to ensure the safety of visiting teams, emphasizing that FIFA, not any single country, governs the tournament.
Trump said on social media that Iran’s players were “welcome” but that he believed their participation was unwise due to potential risks to their “life and safety.”
Iran, ranked 20th in FIFA standings, is set to compete in its fourth consecutive World Cup, which the U.S., Mexico and Canada will jointly host.
US-Iran Ceasefire Talks
The U.S. and Iran had maintained a fragile ceasefire since April 7.
Reports said both sides were discussing a possible deal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and involve Iran giving up enriched uranium.
Trump said negotiations were “proceeding nicely” and called it a “Great Deal for all or, no Deal at all.”
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo Courtesy: Octavio Hoyos on Shutterstock.com
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