Iran’s national soccer team reportedly faced uncertainty over accommodation for the upcoming World Cup after the US declined to host them, prompting Fifa to seek help from another country.
The World Cup is now only weeks away, with this edition of the tournament set to be staged across the US, Canada, and Mexico.
This year’s competition will feature 48 nations battling for the trophy, which Argentina last lifted in 2022.
Iran are among the teams scheduled to participate, despite ongoing strains in relations with the United States.
The US launched a joint attack with Israel on the country on February 28, which killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
Against that backdrop, there was public speculation about whether Iran would ultimately take part in the tournament — and whether President Donald Trump would allow it.
In March, Fifa president Gianni Infantino confirmed Iran would be involved. Even so, it remained unclear where the Iranian squad would be based, particularly for overnight stays in the US.
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has now said Mexico will accommodate the team after the US declined to do so.
“The United States doesn’t want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States.”
Sheinbaum added that Fifa then approached Mexico to ask whether the team could stay there instead.
“We said, ‘Yes, no problem. We have no issue with that.'”
According to ESPN, Iran are slated to play their Group G matches in Inglewood, California, facing New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium six days later, before meeting Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.
Having the team stay in Mexico could also ease potential visa complications, as the squad would enter the US via Mexico.
More to follow.