The Iranian team arrived in Mexico in the early hours of this Sunday (7) to compete in the World Cup. The tournament will be held in three countries simultaneously: Mexico, the United States and Canada. Amid the war between Iran and the United States, which began in February, the country's delegation managed to change its base during the World Cup. Initially, the Iranians would stay in Arizona, in the United States. In recent days, the move to the city of Tijuana, Mexico, was agreed. The Iranian team, however, will play all three first-round matches in the USA. Related news: Brazil beats Egypt in last match before the World Cup. Human rights groups warn of "climate of fear" at the World Cup. Fraud linked to the World Cup almost doubles and raises alert for 2026. Their first two games will be near Los Angeles; against New Zealand on June 15th and against Belgium on June 21st. Then, on June 26th, they will face Egypt in Seattle. This is the first World Cup since its creation in 1930 in which the host nation will host a country with which it is at war. The reception, however, is neither warm nor friendly. An official from the US State Department confirmed the issuance of visas to the Reuters agency, highlighting the granting of the document “to the athletes and the necessary support staff”. “We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to bring terrorists to the US under false pretenses,” the US government official added. Iran national football team - Photo: Reuters/Umit Bektas/Archive/Reproduction prohibited Limited visas Iran's ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, complained about his country's national team having to travel to the United States on the same day as their World Cup matches. This occurred due to the limitation imposed on visas granted to Iranian players and coaching staff. Pasandideh understands that the obligation imposed by the USA could bring physical harm to the Iranian team. "Travelling for so long, going back and forth on flights, will make players tired. Coordination problems and loss of time could affect our team's performance," he said at a press conference. He highlighted that the very presence of his country's team at the World Cup, while Iran remains under US military attack, shows the peaceful intention of his compatriots. “Taking into account that our country is under attack, to show that we came for peace, we brought our team.” Not the entire delegation, however, has its presence guaranteed at the World Cup. Several members of the Iranian national team were not granted visas, including “key members of management and administration,” according to Iran's football federation, which accused the US of failing to fulfill its hosting obligations and violating International Football Federation (FIFA) rules. Pasandideh said that 15 of the 70 members of the group who arrived in Tijuana this Sunday did not receive visas to enter the United States. *With information from Reuters