The Iran national football team will be based in Tijuana, Mexico, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will travel to the United States solely for their matches. This decision follows U.S. government concerns regarding the team's safety, as expressed by President Donald Trump. The Iranian team is scheduled to play three Group G matches in Los Angeles against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, and in Seattle against Egypt on June 26. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that FIFA approached her government after U.S. authorities expressed reluctance for Iran to stay in the country throughout the tournament. Mehdi Taj, head of Iran's football federation, stated that the move would help avoid visa-related issues and allow direct flights to Mexico. The team's participation in the World Cup has been under scrutiny due to geopolitical tensions, but FIFA has maintained the original match schedule despite discussions about potential changes.