Iran national football team will base its squad in the Mexican border city of Tijuana during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after FIFA approved a request to move the team’s training camp from Arizona, Iranian football officials said on Saturday.
The decision comes amid continuing uncertainty over US visa approvals and security arrangements for the Iranian delegation ahead of the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj confirmed the move in a video message posted on Telegram.
“We will be based in the Tijuana camp, which is near the Pacific Ocean and on the border between Mexico and the United States,” Taj said.
He explained that the relocation would help reduce visa complications and improve travel logistics for the squad.
🎥 رئیس فدراسیون فوتبال: کمپ تیم ملی به مکزیک منتقل شد. با این اتفاق مشکلات روادید حل میشود. pic.twitter.com/6HEe8xakxy
— خبرگزاری فارس (@FarsNews_Agency) May 23, 2026
Taj added that the team would be able to travel directly to Mexico using Iran Air flights instead of relying heavily on US entry procedures.
FIFA did not immediately comment publicly on the reported change.
Iran seeks guarantees over visas and security
Iran will open its Group G campaign in Los Angeles against New Zealand on June 15 before facing Belgium on June 21.
The team will then travel to Seattle for its final group-stage match against Egypt on June 26.
According to Taj, the new base location offers quicker access to match venues than the team’s originally planned camp in Arizona.
“The total distance between us and the venue of our games in Los Angeles is 55 minutes by flight,” he said.
Iranian football officials have expressed concerns for months regarding visas, security procedures and travel arrangements inside the United States.
Relations between Washington and Tehran remain tense following months of conflict in the Middle East and broader diplomatic disputes between the two countries.
Iranian officials said earlier this month that players and staff had still not received US visas less than a month before the tournament begins.
Taj said Iranian officials requested guarantees from FIFA regarding “visas, security and the treatment of the Iranian delegation.”
World Cup preparations continue amid political tensions
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will become the largest tournament in football history, featuring 48 national teams across North America.
Analysts say geopolitical tensions may create additional logistical and security challenges for several participating countries.
Tijuana, located directly along the US-Mexico border, offers Iran easier access to Southern California while avoiding long-term stays inside the United States.
The city has increasingly hosted international sporting events because of its location and transport links.
Iran qualified for the World Cup after a strong Asian qualifying campaign and remains one of the region’s most experienced international sides.
Football authorities continue coordinating security and immigration arrangements ahead of the tournament as millions of fans prepare to travel across the three host nations.
The Iranian federation has not yet announced whether the team plans to hold public training sessions in Tijuana before its opening match in Los Angeles.
