President: Iran moves World Cup camp to Mexico after US refusal

Iran will relocate its World Cup base camp from the United States to co-host nation Mexico after Washington declined to host the team overnight, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday, May 25.

According to Sheinbaum, quoted by dpa, FIFA approached the Mexican government with a request after it became clear that “the United States does not want the Iranian team to stay overnight,” despite Iran being scheduled to play all three of its group-stage matches on US soil.

“They asked us: ‘Can they stay overnight in Mexico?’ And we said: ‘Yes, no problem. We have no problem,” Sheinbaum said.

Iran had initially planned to establish its base camp in Tucson, Arizona. However, the team will now be based in the Mexican border city of Tijuana. Sheinbaum noted that final arrangements are still being completed, while a FIFA statement issued late Monday confirmed Tijuana as Iran’s designated base camp.

Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said the relocation was also influenced by geography, noting that Los Angeles—where Iran will face Belgium and New Zealand—is located close to Tijuana. Iran’s third group-stage match, against Egypt, will take place in Seattle.

Taj added that issues related to visas and entry into the United States have been largely resolved.

The situation comes against the backdrop of ongoing military tensions between Iran and the United States since late February, which had raised concerns over the team’s ability to enter and remain in the US during the tournament.

Iranian football officials recently held talks with FIFA representatives in Istanbul to address logistical and participation-related issues ahead of the World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

By Tamilla Hasanova