Iran's national soccer team to commute to U.S.-hosted World Cup games from Mexico

Iran's national soccer team will sleep in Mexico and travel to the U.S. on the days of its three World Cup matches after Washington declined to host the squad for the tournament, Mexican President ‌Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday.

Sheinbaum said FIFA approached her government after U.S. authorities said they did not want Iran staying in the country throughout the June 11-July 19 competition, even though Iran is scheduled to play three Group ​G matches there.

"We have no reason to deny ​them the possibility of staying in Mexico," Sheinbaum told her daily press conference.

Iran is due to face 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.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in March that Iran was welcome to participate in the World Cup but that he did not believe it was appropriate for Iran's team to ⁠be in the United States "for their own life and safety."

Iran's soccer federation asks for guarantees for World Cup participation

Mehdi Taj, head of Iran's football federation, said on Saturday the team's base would be moved from Arizona to the Mexican border ‌city of Tijuana during the tournament. FIFA confirmed the move on Monday.

Taj added that the swap would help avoid visa-related complications and allow direct Iran Air flights to Mexico.

Iran's World Cup plans have been under scrutiny since late February, ​when the United States joined Israel in attacks on Iran, triggering a war that raised doubts over whether ⁠Tehran would send its team to play in one of the host countries.

In March, Taj ⁠said Iran was in talks with FIFA about moving its group matches to ⁠Mexico