The Iranian football federation announced on Saturday that Fifa has approved the team's request to relocate their World Cup training base from the United States to Mexico. Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, confirmed the decision in a statement, though Fifa has not yet officially commented.
Iran had originally planned to train in Tucson, Arizona, but concerns over security due to the war in the Middle East prompted a potential move. The team will now be based in Tijuana, Mexico, just south of San Diego. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, runs from 11 June to 19 July.
Taj stated that the change was approved following discussions with Fifa and World Cup officials in Istanbul and a webinar with the Fifa secretary general. He noted that the move would resolve potential visa issues, as the team will enter the US from Mexico, and may allow them to use Iran Air flights for travel.
Iran are scheduled to play Group G matches in Los Angeles against New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June, followed by a match against Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. This marks their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance and seventh overall, though they have never advanced past the first round.
In March, after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Fifa had reportedly been unwilling to move Iran's matches to Mexico. US President Donald Trump had warned that players' safety could be at risk in the US. However, at last month's Fifa congress, president Gianni Infantino confirmed Iran would play in the US as scheduled, emphasising unity.
