Iran's national soccer team will train in Tijuana, Mexico for the 2026 World Cup after FIFA approved a change from their planned base in Arizona, the Iranian football federation announced Saturday.
Federation Confirms Move
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, said in a statement that the decision followed requests and meetings with FIFA and World Cup officials in Istanbul and a webinar with the FIFA secretary general. The federation cited potential visa issues and security concerns as reasons for the move.
World Cup Schedule
Iran will play Group G matches in Los Angeles against New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt on June 26. The team is making its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance but has never advanced past the group stage.
The federation said moving the base camp to Tijuana, just south of San Diego, will resolve visa issues since the team will enter the US through Mexico. Taj added that the team may be able to use Iran Air flights for travel between Mexico and Iran.
In March, following US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, President Donald Trump warned that the safety of Iranian players could be at risk in the US. At last month's FIFA congress in Vancouver, President Gianni Infantino confirmed Iran would play in the US as scheduled, stating, "We have to unite. We have to bring people together."
FIFA has not officially confirmed the base camp change.
