Iran ditches US base camp for Mexico as Washington shuts the door on World Cup squad

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Iran's national football team will be based in Tijuana, Mexico, during the 2026 World Cup, after the United States declined to host the squad for the tournament. The arrangement, confirmed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday, means the team will travel to the US for its group stage matches and return to Mexico afterwards.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from multiple outlets converge on the core facts: the team's base was moved from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, and the team will still play its three Group G matches in the US. The decision was made after US authorities indicated they did not want the Iranian team staying in the country, with outlets citing varying reasons, including security concerns and visa issues.

Al Jazeera, The Guardian, and RFI quoted Sheinbaum saying that FIFA approached Mexico after the US said it did not want Iran's squad to stay in the country throughout the tournament. The Guardian and Al Jazeera reported that she said, "We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico." France 24 and the Jerusalem Post described the move as being due to security concerns, while the BBC reported visa issues as the reason. South China Morning Post quoted Sheinbaum saying, "The United States doesn't want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States."

Key Claims

• Iran's base moved to Tijuana: Multiple sources confirmed that Iran's World Cup training base was relocated from Tucson, Arizona, to Centro Xoloitzuintle in Tijuana, Mexico. The move was initially announced by Iran's football federation chief, Mehdi Taj, and formally confirmed by FIFA on Monday.

• Team to travel for matches: The team will play its group stage matches in the US and return to Mexico after each game. The schedule includes matches against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

• US declined to host: The US authorities declined to host the Iranian team, with reasons ranging from security concerns to visa issues. Sheinbaum said that a FIFA representative told her the US was reluctant to have the team stay overnight on US territory.

• Visa complications: Taj said the move to Tijuana would help avoid visa-related complications and allow direct Iran Air flights to Mexico, according to reports from the Guardian, Al Jazeera, and other outlets.

• War context: Several reports noted that the move comes amid the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran, which began with strikes on February 28. The Guardian and Al Jazeera reported casualties and economic turmoil, though figures were not consistently cited across all outlets.

Perspectives

Mexican Government: President Claudia Sheinbaum framed Mexico's decision as welcoming and practical, stating that there was no reason to deny the team the possibility of staying in Mexico. She emphasized that FIFA approached Mexico after the US declined.

Iran's Football Federation: Mehdi Taj, head of the federation, highlighted the move would help avoid visa-related complications and allow direct flights, indicating practical considerations behind the relocation.

US Officials: While US President Donald Trump had previously said Iran was welcome but not appropriate for the team to be in the US "for their own life and safety," the White House and State Department did not respond to requests for comment at the time of reporting.