World Cup 2026: Mexico President welcomes Iran National team Base Camp to Tijuana, says ‘no problem’
Mexico City: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated Monday that her administration has "no issue" with hosting Iran's national soccer team after the squad relocated its World Cup training base to Mexico from the United States ahead of the summer tournament.
According to the Iran Football Federation, the team will still compete in its scheduled matches across the United States but will establish its operational base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, situated immediately south of San Diego, California.
The relocation occurs amid the geopolitical backdrop of the ongoing military conflict in Iran, which was initiated by the United States and Israel on February 28.
ALSO READ: Iran Football Federation confirms FIFA-approved shift to Mexico
Bilateral Arrangements and Operational Logic
During a press conference on Monday, Sheinbaum disclosed that a FIFA representative informed her that U.S. authorities were hesitant to permit the Iranian delegation to reside on American soil outside of active match days.
“The United States doesn't want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States,” Sheinbaum told reporters, noting that the FIFA representative subsequently inquired, “Can they stay overnight in Mexico?”
“And we said, Yes, no problem. We have no issue with that,” she said.
The Iranian squad is scheduled to contest its Group G matches in Inglewood, California, opening against New Zealand on June 15 and facing Belgium six days later, before travelling to Seattle for a June 26 fixture against Egypt.
CLICK HERE FOR: Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups
Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, the Iranian federation had originally planned to establish its training base in Tucson, Arizona. However, as regional tensions intensified, the squad shifted its operations to Tijuana, Sheinbaum confirmed, validating an announcement made by Iranian football officials over the weekend. The federation maintained that the logistics received authorisation from FIFA, though the global governing body has not independently confirmed the arrangement.
ALSO READ: Iran wants players and staff who served in Revolutionary Guard to get visas for FIFA World Cup
Regulatory Complexities and Diplomatic Responses
Participating teams utilise dedicated base camps for training and recovery cycles between tournament fixtures. The 2026 World Cup cycle is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, under a joint hosting framework managed by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The potential restructuring of Iran's residency had been under deliberation for months due to the instability generated by the Middle East conflict and corresponding security vulnerabilities. Furthermore, long-standing U.S. economic sanctions against Iran were anticipated to complicate the delegation's extended stay within American borders.
The U.S. State Department issued a statement Monday affirming that President Donald Trump had explicitly indicated the Iranian team was permitted to participate in the international tournament.
The federal agency's communique did not directly address the team's residential accommodations or the specific assertions made by Sheinbaum.
The Mexican president concluded by stating that her government continues to coordinate closely with FIFA officials to finalise all remaining logistical details prior to the commencement of the competition.
With inputs from AP