Mexico accepts to host Iran during the World Cup: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum

Mexico has «no problem» hosting the Iranian squad for the 2026 World Cup, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday.

Iran had announced on Saturday that it wanted to establish operations in the Mexican border city of Tijuana and not in Tucson, Arizona, as originally planned.

“The United States did not want the Iranian team on its soil,” Sheinbaum said at a news conference.

“So they (Iran) asked us, ‘can we be based in Mexico? and we said yes, no problem’.”

As part of Group G, Iran will play its first two matches in Los Angeles, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, with a match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Published on May 25, 2026