FIFA approached Mexico after the United States declined to accommodate Iran's squad during the tournament, despite Iran playing group matches in the US.
6:57 PM
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Monday that her government agreed to allow the Iranian national football team to stay in Mexico during the FIFA World Cup, after the United States declined to host the squad.
Sheinbaum made the announcement during her daily press conference, stating that FIFA approached Mexico following the US decision not to accommodate Iran's team throughout the tournament. "We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico," Sheinbaum said.
The arrangement addresses a logistical challenge created by the tournament structure. Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group matches in the United States, yet the US declined to provide accommodation for the team during the competition.
Mehdi Taj, head of Iran's football federation, said Saturday that the team's base would be relocated from Arizona to Tijuana, a Mexican border city, during the World Cup. Taj indicated the move would help avoid visa-related complications for the Iranian squad.
The White House and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the arrangement.
FIFA's decision to seek alternative accommodation in Mexico resolved the situation after initial plans to keep Iran's base in the United States proved untenable. The move allows Iran's team to maintain a home base outside the country where they will compete in group play.
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