Mexico Welcomes Iran’s Football Team for World Cup 2026 Training
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that Mexico is ready to host Iran’s national football team for their training camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup. This decision comes after Iran’s original training base was moved from the United States to Tijuana, Mexico, amidst geopolitical tensions surrounding their participation in the tournament.
Even though the Iranian team will play their World Cup matches in the United States, their main operations will now be based in Tijuana, located just across the border from San Diego, California. This change indicates how political and security issues are influencing the World Cup preparations.
At a recent press conference, Sheinbaum mentioned that FIFA informed her the U.S. government was hesitant to allow the Iranian team to stay overnight on American soil during the tournament. She affirmed that Mexico has “no issue” with accommodating the team in her country.
“I understand that the United States doesn’t want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the U.S.,” she stated. “And we said, Yes, no problem. We have no issue with that.”
Iran will face teams like New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in various U.S. cities during the World Cup, yet their main training facilities will be in Tijuana, which is only a short trip from Southern California.
Initially, Iran planned to set up camp in Tucson, Arizona, but the situation changed due to rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly following the outbreak of war involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel. The Iranian football federation confirmed this relocation to Tijuana and noted they received FIFA’s approval, though FIFA has not publicly acknowledged the change.
World Cup Coordination Efforts
Typically, teams at the World Cup use base camps for training and logistical operations. The 2026 tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, will be jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The involvement of Iran has now become a part of larger discussions regarding tournament logistics, especially given the diplomatic challenges and sanctions impacting U.S.-Iran relations.
U.S. sanctions have long complicated sporting endeavors, affecting visas and travel arrangements. In light of this, FIFA and the three host nations are coordinating carefully to ensure that all teams can participate effectively while adhering to security and political guidelines.
Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico is closely working with FIFA to finalize all necessary arrangements for the tournament, ensuring the process remains official. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department noted that President Donald Trump had expressed support for Iran’s participation in the World Cup, without providing clear details on accommodation.
This cross-border arrangement highlights the unique challenges of hosting a tri-nation World Cup, where politics, security, and sports necessities converge.
