The president of the Iranian football federation, Mehdi Taj, announced on Saturday that the team's World Cup training base has been moved from the United States to Mexico, claiming approval from FIFA. The federation stated the team will now be based in Tijuana, Mexico, just south of San Diego, instead of the originally scheduled Tucson, Arizona.
FIFA has not officially confirmed the move, and officials at Tucson's Kino Sports Complex declined to comment. The decision follows uncertainty due to the war in the Middle East and security concerns, including reported US-Israel airstrikes on Iran in March. At that time, Donald Trump suggested the safety of Iranian players could be at risk in the US.
Iran will play their Group G matches in Los Angeles against New Zealand on 15 June, Belgium on 21 June, and Egypt on 26 June in Seattle. The federation said moving the base camp will resolve potential visa issues, as the team will enter the US through Mexico, and may even use Iran Air flights for travel.
At last month's FIFA congress in Vancouver, president Gianni Infantino confirmed Iran would participate in the World Cup and play in the US, stating, 'We have to unite. We have to bring people together.' Iran is appearing in their fourth consecutive World Cup and seventh overall, but have never advanced past the first round.
