Iran’s national soccer team will stay in Mexico and travel to the United States only on match days for its three World Cup games. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that U.S. authorities declined to host the squad for the full tournament period from June 11 to July 19. FIFA contacted Mexico after the U.S. decision. Sheinbaum stated there was no reason to deny Iran the option of staying in Mexico. The team is scheduled to play New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26. Iran’s football federation head Mehdi Taj confirmed the base would shift from Arizona to Tijuana. The move aims to ease visa issues and enable direct flights. Iran qualified for its fourth straight World Cup by winning its Asian qualifying group last year.
