Iranian national team to train in Mexico during World Cup after base camp switch, federation leader says
Iran Relocates 2026 World Cup Base Camp from Tucson to Tijuana
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first edition to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is drawing closer. As the tournament’s opening match on June 11 approaches, participating national teams are finalizing their training bases across the three host countries. Iran’s men’s national squad, known as Team Melli, has announced a significant change to its plans: the team will no longer train in Tucson, Arizona, but will instead set up camp in Tijuana, Mexico.
The decision was made public on Saturday by Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation. In a statement released through the federation’s media relations office, Taj said that “all team base camps for the countries participating in the World Cup must be approved by FIFA.” He added that the request to shift the team’s base from the United States to Mexico had been approved following a series of meetings with FIFA and World Cup officials in Istanbul and a webinar with FIFA’s secretary‑general that took place in Tehran the day before.
“We were able to secure approval for the move after 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,” Taj explained. “Fortunately, following the requests we submitted and the meetings we held with FIFA and World Cup officials, our request to change the team’s base from the United States to Mexico was approved.”
The federation also noted that the new location in Tijuana “includes all training facilities, gym, private restaurant and everything else the team needs.” Tijuana’s proximity to the Los Angeles area, where the team will play several of its group‑stage games, is said to be a key advantage.
Iran’s participation in the tournament comes as a matter of routine. The team has qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup, though it has never advanced beyond the group stage. In 2026, Iran will compete in Group G, with scheduled matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21. The team will then travel to Seattle for a match against Egypt on June 26.
Security concerns and potential visa issues were cited as factors motivating the switch. The Iran federation stated that the change would “resolve potential visa issues” because the team would enter the United States through Mexico. The federation also hinted that the team “may even be able to travel to and from Mexico using Iran Air flights,” which could further simplify logistics.
The initial plan had Iranian players training at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson. Officials at the Tucson complex declined to comment on the change.
The 2026 World Cup, the largest tournament in the sport’s history, will feature 48 teams and 80 matches spread over three host countries. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, with the final slated for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. As host cities prepare for the influx of global crowds, teams are working to secure the best possible conditions for training and competition.
The Iranian federation has not yet received an official confirmation from FIFA regarding the move, but the federation’s statement indicates that the decision has already been ratified. As the World Cup approaches, teams such as Iran’s will continue to fine-tune their preparations to ensure they are ready to compete at the highest level.
