Mexico agrees to host Iran at World Cup instead of US

Mexico agrees to host Iran at World Cup instead of USImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Iran are preparing for the World Cup at a training camp in TurkeyBySteve SutcliffeBBC Sport journalistPublished5 minutes agoMexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has agreed to allow Iran to be based in the country during the World Cup, with the United States unwilling to host them. Sheinbaum said her government had been approached by Fifa after the US made it clear it did not want Iran's squad to stay in the country during the tournament."We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico," Sheinbaum said."The United States does not want the Iranian team to stay overnight, but they are going to play three matches there. "So they asked us: 'Can they stay overnight in Mexico?' And we said: 'Yes, no problem. We have no problem."Iran were originally given Tucson, Arizona as their World Cup base with all three of their matches scheduled to take place in the US.However, the ongoing war in the Middle East and related security concerns has led to uncertainty around their participation.The World Cup is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, with Iran scheduled to play New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June - both in Los Angeles - and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. Iran are currently preparing for the tournment in Antalya, southern Turkey.The BBC has contacted the White House for comment.Iran's sports minister Ahmad Donyamali, also confirmed that world football's governing body has stressed that the Iran squad will be given visas to play in the US this summer "The Fifa president promised us that all our players would receive visas. There is no reason why our players should not receive visas," he said.The Iranian FA (FFIRI) had presented Fifa with a list of 10 conditions for their participation at the World Cup, including allowing players, coaches and officials who have completed military...