Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that Mexico will host Iran’s national football team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the squad’s planned U.S.-based camp was relocated to Tijuana amid growing political and security concerns.
Speaking during a press briefing, Sheinbaum said Mexico had “no issue” accommodating the Iranian team after FIFA reportedly approached Mexican authorities following concerns from U.S. officials about hosting Iran throughout the tournament.
The decision means Iran national football team will now stay and train in Mexico while commuting to the United States for its group-stage matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
According to reports, Iran had initially planned to establish its tournament base camp in Tucson, Arizona. However, FIFA later approved a request to move the camp to Tijuana after concerns emerged over visas, logistics and security tied to ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the United States.
Reuters reported that Sheinbaum revealed FIFA contacted Mexico after U.S. authorities indicated they did not want Iran’s squad staying overnight in the country throughout the tournament. Despite that, Iran will still play all three of its Group G matches on American soil.
Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before taking on Egypt in Seattle during the group phase.
The controversy adds another political dimension to what is already shaping up to be one of the most geopolitically sensitive World Cups in history. Earlier this year, questions had even been raised about whether Iran would participate in the tournament at all following heightened tensions in the Middle East and statements from U.S. political figures regarding the team’s safety in America.
FIFA has since confirmed that Iran will participate in the competition and that the relocation of the team’s base camp complies with tournament planning regulations. The governing body officially included Tijuana among the approved World Cup team base camps in its final preparations list.
The development also places Tijuana in the global spotlight ahead of the expanded 48-team tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Why the Move Matters
The decision highlights the complicated intersection of sports and international politics. Although FIFA has maintained that all qualified nations are welcome at the tournament, diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran have continued to create logistical complications around visas, travel and security.
By moving its camp to Mexico while still playing matches in the U.S., Iran appears to have found a compromise that allows participation without requiring an extended stay on American soil.
Mexico’s willingness to host the team has also been viewed by analysts as an effort to preserve the tournament’s multinational spirit and avoid a diplomatic standoff overshadowing football’s biggest event.
