Mexico’s president shares big news about Iran just before the World Cup
Mexico’s president has confirmed that Iran will stay in Mexico during the World Cup, after their stay in the United States became uncertain because of political tensions.
Iran earned their spot in the 48-team tournament by finishing first in Group A during Asian qualifiers. They’re in Group G with New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, playing in their seventh World Cup.
There has been some controversy about Iran’s participation due to conflicts with the host country, the US. At one point, Iran planned to skip the World Cup draw because of visa problems after being on Donald Trump’s travel ban list. Trump, who took military action against Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had said Iranian players shouldn’t come to the US “for their own safety,” but later said they were “welcome.”
All of Iran’s group games are scheduled to be played in the US, and they were initially set to stay in Tucson, Arizona. But Mehdi Taj, head of the Iran Football Federation, said FIFA agreed to let the team base themselves at Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana, Mexico, after meetings with FIFA’s Secretary General, Mattias Grafstrom. Taj also mentioned the team might travel to games on Iran Air planes.
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has now officially offered to host Iran during the tournament. Iran had asked to have their games in Mexico, which Mexico welcomed, though FIFA said it was too complicated to change the schedule. Sheinbaum said, “We have no reason to deny them the chance to stay in Mexico. The US doesn’t want the Iranian team to stay overnight, so they asked us, ‘Can we stay in Mexico?’ We said yes, no problem.”
Iran’s matches will still take place in the US—two in Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium against New Zealand and Belgium, and one in Seattle’s Lumen Field against Egypt on June 26. The flight from Tijuana to Los Angeles takes about 55 minutes, so Iran will likely only be in the US on game days and for necessary activities before returning to Mexico.
Before this, Iran’s players were in Turkey for visa applications and training, and they’re getting ready to play a friendly against Gambia in Antalya on May 28. They were promised visas for the tournament.
This change in plans comes as the US launched attacks on Iranian missile sites and boats trying to lay mines, putting a seven-week ceasefire at risk. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins called the actions “defensive.” Peace talks have been ongoing, but it looks like a solution isn’t close after these recent events.