FIFA Approves Iran Training Base in Tijuana and Mexico Agrees to Host Delegation

Overview

• FIFA approved Iran’s request to base its World Cup delegation in Tijuana, a change the Iranian Football Federation announced after talks to resolve visa and security concerns.
• Mexico’s president publicly confirmed on Monday that her government accepted the Iranian team in Tijuana after the United States asked Mexico to host the delegation.
• Iran will still play its three Group G matches in U.S. cities—two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle—and Iranian officials say FIFA has assured that players will receive U.S. visas.
• The U.S. Department of State earlier signaled that exceptions were opened for athletes, coaches and essential team members to enter the United States, though some procedural details remain publicly limited.
• The relocation reflects rising Iran–U.S. tensions and past U.S. visa denials for Iranian athletes and could set a precedent for using border cities and third countries to keep teams able to compete in multinational events.