Iran players forced to commute to World Cup games from Mexico after US refusal, president says

Iran's national football team will base themselves in Mexico during the upcoming World Cup, travelling to the United States only for their matches, after Washington reportedly refused to host the squad for the duration of the tournament.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the arrangement on Monday, stating that FIFA had approached her government following the US decision. Ms Sheinbaum indicated that American authorities did not wish for the Iranian team to remain in the country throughout the 11 June to 19 July competition, despite their three Group G fixtures being scheduled there.

"We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico," she told reporters at her daily press conference.

The Iranian side is set to play New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June, Belgium in Los Angeles on 21 June, and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

Neither the White House nor the State Department immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the matter.

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President Donald Trump said ‌in March that Iran was welcome to participate in the World Cup but that he did not believe it was appropriate for Iran's team to be ‌in the United States "for their own life and safety." Mehdi ‌Taj, head of Iran's football federation, said on Saturday the team's base would be moved from Arizona to the Mexican border city of Tijuana during the tournament. FIFA confirmed the move on ⁠Monday. Taj added that the swap would help avoid visa-related complications and allow direct Iran Air flights to Mexico.

Iran's World Cup plans have been under scrutiny since late February, when the United States joined Israel in attacks on Iran, triggering a war that raised doubts over whether Tehran would send its team to play in one of the host countries.

In March, Taj said Iran was in talks ‌with FIFA about moving its group matches to Mexico on safety ​grounds, and Sheinbaum said Mexico would be open to hosting them. ‌FIFA kept the schedule unchanged.

The uncertainty fueled ⁠wider speculation about Iran's place at the tournament. In April, Trump's envoy ⁠for global partnerships, Paolo Zampolli, suggested Italy should replace Iran, prompting a dismissive response from Italian officials ‌and FIFA.

Iran qualified for a ​fourth consecutive World Cup by topping its ‌group in the third round of ​Asian qualifying last year.

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