Mexico to host Iran’s World Cup team after U.S. refusal, president says
Mexico will host Iran's national football team during the upcoming World Cup after the U.S. declined to accommodate them. President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that FIFA approached Mexico for assistance following the U.S. refusal. The Iranian team will relocate its base from Arizona to Tijuana to facilitate their participation in the tournament.
- ▪The Iranian team will stay in Mexico during the World Cup due to the U.S. refusal to host them.
- ▪President Claudia Sheinbaum stated there was no reason to deny Iran's team the possibility of staying in Mexico.
- ▪Iran's football federation head announced the team's base would move to Tijuana to avoid visa complications.
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World CupMexico to host Iran’s World Cup team after U.S. refusal, president saysThe Iranian team’s participation in the June 11-July 19 tournament had been in question since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Iran's players Omid Norafkan and Saman Ghoddos in Tehran in 2025.AFP via Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 25, 2026, 12:06 PM EDTBy ReutersMEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday her government agreed to allow the Iranian national football team to stay in Mexico during the World Cup, adding that the United States did not want to host the team.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Sheinbaum said football’s governing body…
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