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Iran have shifted their 2026 FIFA World Cup training base from Arizona to Mexico after FIFA approval, citing visa concerns and security uncertainties.
(Credit: X)
Iran have officially shifted their 2026 FIFA World Cup training base from the United States to Mexico, amid growing visa uncertainty and security concerns ahead of the tournament.
The announcement was made by Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj, who confirmed that FIFA had approved the request after a series of discussions involving federation officials and World Cup organisers.
The Iran FA is changing their World Cup training camp to Tijuana, Mexico – just across the California border from Tucson, Arizona due to visa issues.President Mehdi Taj confirmed that Iran will play matches in the U.S., but leave right after. pic.twitter.com/hCwQvP4Me5
— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) May 23, 2026
Iran had originally planned to base themselves in Tucson, Arizona. But with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalating and concerns surrounding travel arrangements mounting, the federation opted for a safer and more practical alternative.
The team will now train in Tijuana, Mexico — just south of San Diego — during the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
“All team base camps for the countries participating in the World Cup must be approved by FIFA,” Taj said in a statement released by the federation.
“Fortunately, following the requests we submitted and the meetings we held with FIFA and World Cup officials in Istanbul, as well as the webinar meeting we had yesterday in Tehran with the respected FIFA secretary general, our request to change the team’s base from the United States to Mexico was approved.”
The switch is expected to solve multiple problems for Iran, especially around visas.
Iranian officials had earlier admitted that players and staff were still waiting for US visas less than a month before the tournament. Under the revised plan, Iran will enter the United States only for matchdays before immediately returning to Mexico afterwards.
Iran are scheduled to play New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles again on June 21, before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Taj also revealed that the federation had sought guarantees from FIFA regarding visas, security arrangements and the treatment of the Iranian delegation throughout the tournament.
Iran are appearing in their fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup and seventh overall, although they are yet to progress beyond the group stage.
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