Iran relocate World Cup training base from United States to Mexico
The Iranian Football Federation has confirmed that their national team will relocate its 2026 World Cup training base from the United States to Mexico to avoid potential visa and security complications.
The Asian nation was originally scheduled to prepare for the tournament in Tucson, Arizona, before geopolitical tensions prompted a logistical rethink.
Mehdi Taj, president of the governing body, announced the decision on Saturday following high-level discussions with global organisers.
FIFA approval secures Tijuana switch
Team Melli will now be stationed in the border city of Tijuana, located just south of San Diego, ahead of the expanded global showpiece.
According to federation officials, entering the co-host nation via Mexico will help circumvent potential entry hurdles for players and coaching staff.
“All team base camps for the countries participating in the World Cup must be approved by FIFA.”
“Fortunately, following the requests we submitted and the meetings we held with FIFA and World Cup officials in Istanbul, our request to change the team’s base from the United States to Mexico was approved.”
Taj also noted that this newly approved relocation might allow the travelling contingent to utilise domestic Iran Air flights for their transatlantic journey.
Group G fixtures and tournament history
Despite the change in preparation venue, the squad will still play all of their group-stage matches on American soil.
Their campaign begins against New Zealand in Inglewood, California, on 15 June, before they face Belgium six days later at the same stadium.
The team will then travel up the West Coast to Seattle for their final Group G fixture against Egypt on 26 June.
This summer marks a fourth consecutive World Cup appearance for the Middle Eastern side.
However, they will be looking to make history as they have never managed to progress beyond the first round in seven previous attempts.