US Refuses to Host Iran World Cup Team; Players to Commute from Mexico

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on the 25th that after Washington authorities refused to host the Iranian national football team during the World Cup, the team will stay in Mexico and commute across the border to the US on the days of their three matches. According to AFP and Reuters, Iran's eligibility for the global sporting event has been in question for months, as the tournament is co-hosted by the US, which has been involved in regional conflict. Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali reported today that despite the ongoing Middle East war, FIFA has promised that the Iranian men's football team will receive visas to participate in the World Cup held in the US this summer. According to the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), Donyamali stated, "The FIFA president promised us that all our players will receive visas. There is no reason why our players would not get them." He added that host countries are obligated to provide visas to all participants, including players and support staff. The Iranian Football Federation stated that the team will be based in Tijuana, on the US-Mexico border, during the tournament. President Sheinbaum said Mexico would allow Iran to set up a training base in the country to bypass US visa restrictions. Iran 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. The White House and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.