Mexico gives green light: Iran moves its World Cup base

Tijuana is on the border with California. According to the Iranian Football Federation, the move will make visa applications easier because the country's players will enter the United States from Mexico, not Iran.

Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's president, said at a press conference, according to AFP:

"The US did not want the Iranian team on its territory. That's why we were asked (by Iran), 'Can we have our base in Mexico?' We said, 'No problem.'"

Iran plays in Group G in the World Cup and will face New Zealand in their first match in Inglewood, California, on June 15.