Iran switch World Cup training base to Mexico amid tensions with US
Iran will finalise their World Cup preparations in Turkey before travelling to a new tournament base in Mexico this Saturday amid ongoing geopolitical tensions with the United States.
Logistical adjustments approved by Fifa mean the Asian nation will now stay in Tijuana rather than their originally planned camp in Tucson, Arizona.
The squad will commute across the border for their opening Group G matches in Los Angeles against New Zealand and Belgium.
Their final group stage encounter against Egypt is scheduled to take place further north in Seattle.
Security concerns and visa scrutiny
Participation in the global showpiece has been complicated by geopolitical fallout following US and Israeli airstrikes on the Islamic Republic in late February.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that Washington has no issue with the football team entering the country to compete.
However, the American official issued a stern warning regarding the composition of the travelling delegation.
“What we’re not going to allow is for them to embed in their delegation a bunch of people that we know have nothing to do with athletics and have ties to the IRGC or things of that nature, so we were going to watch that very closely.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is designated as a terrorist entity by both the US and co-hosts Canada.
This strict classification previously resulted in Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj being denied entry to Canada for April’s Fifa Congress.
Final preparations in Turkey
Team Melli are currently stationed in the Turkish resort of Antalya for their pre-tournament training camp.
The squad have experienced mixed results in their recent friendlies, suffering a defeat to Nigeria before securing victories over Costa Rica and Gambia.
Their final warm-up fixture against Mali takes place on Thursday but will be completely closed to the media to protect tactical secrets.
“Considering the importance of the Iranian national football team’s friendly match against Mali, and in line with the tactical objectives of Iran’s head coach, tomorrow’s match against Mali will be held behind closed doors and without media attendance.”
The squad will officially kick off their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on 15 June.