Mexico to host Iran team after US refusal ahead of World Cup

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her government has agreed to host Iran’s national football team during the upcoming World Cup after the United States refused to accommodate the squad.

Speaking at her daily news conference, Sheinbaum said Fifa approached Mexico following Washington’s decision not to allow the Iranian team to stay in the US throughout the tournament, despite their group matches being scheduled there.

“We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico,” she said.

Mehdi Taj, head of Iran’s football federation, said the team’s base would shift from Arizona to the Mexican border city of Tijuana during the tournament.

He said the move would help the squad avoid visa complications and allow direct travel to Mexico on Iran Air flights.

Iran is set to play their first two Group G matches in Los Angeles against New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June, before facing Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.