Iran’s national football team will base itself in Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup instead of the United States, according to the president of the country’s football federation, in a move reflecting escalating political tensions surrounding the tournament’s preparations. Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj said the team’s training base has been relocated from Arizona to Tijuana in Mexico after discussions with FIFA officials. He stated that the arrangement followed meetings held in Istanbul and a virtual discussion with FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström, and claimed the proposal had already received approval.

“Our base camp will be in Tijuana, close to the Paific Ocean and on the U.S.-Mexico border, but inside Mexican territory,” Taj said, adding that “the agreement has been approved by FIFA and there are no issues remaining.” However, FIFA has not yet issued a public confirmation of the relocation, leaving the decision still pending formal ratification. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also indicated her government’s willingness to host the Iranian squad during the tournament, saying, “We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico,” further supporting the logistical feasibility of the move.

Iran is still scheduled to play its World Cup group-stage matches in the United States, including fixtures at SoFi Stadium in California and Lumen Field in Seattle. The team is set to face New Zealand on June 15, followed by matches against Belgium and Egypt. Despite the training base shift, match venues remain unchanged under FIFA’s current tournament structure. The relocation comes amid months of uncertainty driven by strained Iran–U.S. relations and broader security concerns linked to recent geopolitical tensions.

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Earlier planning had placed Iran’s training camp at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, with local authorities reportedly coordinating security arrangements before the change was proposed.Iranian officials have repeatedly raised concerns over visas, travel access, and security for players and staff. Those concerns intensified after reports that some Iranian football officials previously faced visa denials to the United States ahead of FIFA-related events, including alleged restrictions linked to political associations. The federation has since pushed for guarantees ensuring unrestricted entry for the national delegation.

Additional uncertainty emerged after comments by U.S. political figures questioning Iran’s participation in the tournament, though later clarifications indicated that the national team would be allowed to compete. Despite this, Iranian officials continued negotiations with FIFA, seeking assurances on logistics and safety. FIFA had previously rejected proposals to relocate Iran’s matches out of the United States, maintaining that the original tournament schedule would remain intact. Nevertheless, the decision to shift the team’s training base to Mexico underscores how political considerations are increasingly shaping off-field arrangements ahead of one of football’s largest global events.

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