Iran’s World Cup Team Will Bed Down in Mexico After U.S. Says No to Their Stay.

Iran’s national soccer team won’t be staying in the United States during this summer’s World Cup. Instead, the players will sleep in Mexico and travel across the border on the days of their three group stage matches. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the arrangement on Monday, explaining that the U.S. declined to host the team for the duration of the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19.

Sheinbaum said FIFA approached her government after U.S. authorities made it clear they didn’t want Iran based in the country even though Iran is scheduled to play three Group G matches on American soil. “We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico,” she told reporters.

Iran’s schedule: June 15 against New Zealand in L.A., June 21 against Belgium in L.A., and June 26 against Egypt in Seattle.

The White House and State Department didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. Back in March, President Donald Trump said Iran was welcome to compete in the World Cup, but added he didn’t think it was appropriate for the team to be in the U.S. “for their own life and safety.”

Over the weekend, Mehdi Taj, head of Iran’s football federation, announced the team’s base would move from Arizona to Tijuana, the Mexican border city. FIFA confirmed the move on Monday. Taj said the switch would help avoid visa headaches and allow direct Iran Air flights to Mexico.

Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, pointed out a practical perk: Tijuana’s close proximity to Los Angeles, where Iran plays its first two matches. “In the previous training camp, the distance between the hotel and training ground was considerable,” he said. “That problem doesn’t exist in Mexico.”

Iran’s World Cup plans have been under a cloud since late February, when the U.S. joined Israel in attacks on Iran, sparking a war that raised doubts about whether Tehran would even send its team. In March, Taj said Iran had asked FIFA to move its matches to Mexico on safety grounds, and Sheinbaum said Mexico would be open to that. But FIFA kept the schedule as is.

The uncertainty fueled wild speculation. In April, Trump’s envoy for global partnerships, Paolo Zampolli, suggested Italy should replace Iran an idea Italian officials and FIFA quickly brushed off.

Despite everything, Iran qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup by topping its Asian qualifying group last year.

The team will set up camp at the Xoloitzcuintle Center in Tijuana, home of the Xolos, a Mexican first division club. “We are very proud to have been notified by FIFA that Tijuana will be part of the 2026 World Cup as the base camp for Iran’s national team,” the club said. “Tijuana is an open, friendly, and hospitable city.”

Baja California’s governor, Marina del Pilar, welcomed the Iranian squad in a post on X. “Tijuana will be the setting for their preparation,” she wrote. “Baja California is ready to welcome them as if they were at home.”