Iran's Soccer Team Finds New Home in Mexican Border City

Iran's national soccer team needed a new place to stay during the World Cup. They planned to train in Arizona, but the United States would not let them stay overnight in the country. FIFA, the group that runs world soccer, asked Mexico to help. Now the team is living in Tijuana, a Mexican city right on the border with California.

A small group of Iranian people living in Tijuana was very excited to welcome their home team. Sadegh Galavi and his family drove to the airport at 4 in the morning to greet the players. They brought Iranian flags and wanted to show the team that Tijuana was a safe place to stay. Sadegh had been messaging the players on Instagram to tell them good things about the city.

The Iranian soccer team used to be loved by almost everyone in Iran. People would celebrate in the streets when the team won games. But in recent years, some Iranians have mixed feelings about their team. This is because of problems with Iran's government and protests in their country.

Sadegh and his wife Maryam moved to Tijuana four years ago. Maryam had a half-brother who lived there, and she wanted to visit him. The couple liked the city so much that they decided to stay. Maryam said Tijuana made her feel free, especially as a woman.

When the team's bus arrived at the airport, Sadegh and his family cheered and waved their flags. A team member rolled down the window and waved back at them. Sadegh was so excited that he forgot to speak in his native language, Farsi. For Sadegh and Maryam, having their national team in Tijuana felt like having a piece of Iran in their new home city.