Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, confirmed Monday that the country’s authorities are studying the possibility of allowing the Iranian national soccer team to stay overnight and be based in the city of Tijuana (north) during the World Cup in the face of obstacles put in place by the United States.
” FIFA’ s representatives came through a person (…) The United States does not want the Iranian team to stay overnight in the United States. So they asked us: ‘Can they stay overnight in Mexico?’ And we said ‘yes, no problem, we have no problem,'” the president explained in her daily press conference.
Tijuana is shaping up to be Iran’s haven for the World Cup
The new headquarters for Iran’s soccer players would be in the city of Tijuana, located in the Mexican state of Baja California (northwest), on the border with the United States.
Sheinbaum stressed that the Asian team would stay overnight in Mexico and would only go to the United States to play their three scheduled matches in the group stage of the World Cup.
“We have no reason to deny the possibility of them staying in Mexico.”
“So we did give that option and it is being reviewed,” he added.
This possibility is being analyzed by the Mexican government’s representative for the 2026 World Cup, Gabriela Cuevas.
In addition to the Secretary of Tourism, Josefina Rodríguez, in coordination with FIFA officials.
The president stressed that in Mexico there would be “no problem” with visas for soccer players from the Islamic Republic.
Seeking to avoid tension with the U.S.
The Iranian national soccer team had announced last week its intention to host the World Cup in Tijuana.
This is to avoid problems with U.S. visas.
Placed in Group G, Iran will play its first two matches against New Zealand and Belgium on June 16 and 21 in Los Angeles.
The third game against Egypt will be played in Seattle.
No tenemos ningún problema
Claudia Sheinbaum
Iranian media have speculated in recent weeks that Washington could deny visas to members of the Iranian delegation who have had ties to the Revolutionary Guard.
Considered by the United States a terrorist organization.
Iran had previously conditioned its participation in the World Cup on the acceptance of ten points.
These include guarantees regarding security, travel and respect for the symbols of the Islamic Republic.
In addition to the issuance of visas for the entire workforce.
With information from EFE
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