Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that her government has agreed to allow the Iranian national football team to reside in Mexico during the World Cup. The decision comes after the United States chose not to accommodate the team, despite Iran playing all its group matches there.

During her daily press conference, Sheinbaum stated, “We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico.” Requests for comment from the White House and the State Department remain unanswered.

Iran’s football federation head, Mehdi Taj, disclosed on Saturday that the team’s base would relocate from Arizona to Tijuana, a city near the Mexican border, for the duration of the tournament. Taj emphasized that the relocation would circumvent potential visa issues. Additionally, the team will utilize Iran Air flights for direct travel to Mexico.

The Iranian team’s participation in the tournament scheduled from June 11 to July 19 was uncertain following tensions involving the U.S. and Israel in late February. Iran’s match lineup includes facing New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and finally Egypt in Seattle on June 26.