Iran national soccer team welcomed in Tijuana after 2-2 World Cup draw with New Zealand

The Iran men’s national soccer team returned to Tijuana in the early hours of Tuesday after drawing 2‑2 with New Zealand in Los Angeles during the 2026 World Cup. Fans gathered outside the Marriott hotel where the squad was staying, despite the late hour, to greet the players and show support. Local supporters said they wanted to welcome the team and expressed appreciation for the players’ gratitude toward the community.

Tourism officials in Baja California say the warm reception could translate into increased tourism, including medical‑tourism, for the region. Atzimba Villegas, president of the International Medical Tourism Coalition, highlighted the potential for more foreign visitors, investors and patients, noting recent interest from Singapore in the area’s fertility services. The coalition cites around 4.5 million foreign visitors to the state in the past two years and calls for better bilingual signage, security and university involvement to boost the sector.