Just weeks before kickoff, two international emergencies — one geopolitical, one epidemiological — are forcing major adjustments for World Cup 2026 participants, and Mexico finds itself playing a pivotal role in both.
Iran has relocated its entire team base to Tijuana after the United States raised security and visa concerns linked to the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.
Meanwhile, players and fans from the Democratic Republic of Congo must complete a 21‑day isolation period due to the Ebola outbreak before they can enter the United States — complicating its match schedule, which includes a game in Guadalajara on June 23.
Iran’s national team had originally planned to train in Tucson, Arizona. But due to the U.S. military conflict with Iran, the Iranian Football Federation decided to shift its base camp to Mexico. The team will now stay at the Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana, and fly to its three group matches: June 15 and June 21 in Inglewood, California (against New Zealand and Belgium), and June 26 in Seattle (against Egypt).
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the arrangement on May 25, saying FIFA had asked Mexico to host the Iranian delegation because Washington did not want the team staying in the U.S. between matches. “We have no problem with this,” Sheinbaum said.
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