Iran Team Will Commute From Mexico for 3 US World Cup Matches After Hosting Refusal
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 25
Iran Team Will Commute From Mexico for 3 US World Cup Matches After Hosting Refusal
11 articles · Updated · CNN · May 25
Iran’s national soccer team will stay in Tijuana and cross into the United States only for its three Group G matches after Washington declined to host the squad during the June 11-July 19 World Cup.
FIFA confirmed the switch after approaching Mexico, and President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government saw no reason to refuse the request.
Mehdi Taj, head of Iran’s football federation, said moving the base from Arizona would ease visa issues and allow direct Iran Air flights to Mexico.
Iran is scheduled to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and June 21, then Egypt in Seattle on June 26, with the tournament schedule otherwise unchanged.
The arrangement follows months of scrutiny after the US joined Israel in attacks on Iran in late February, fueling safety concerns and speculation over Iran’s place despite qualifying for a fourth straight World Cup.
After a recent war, can a cross-border World Cup base truly ensure safety for the Iranian team and the tournament itself?
Is Mexico's solution for Iran's team a model for future sports diplomacy or a sign of escalating global division?
With fans banned and teams separated by borders, is the 2026 World Cup's promise of global unity already broken before it begins?