Iran’s national soccer team will establish their World Cup preparation base in Tijuana, Mexico, after receiving FIFA approval to relocate from their originally planned Arizona training facility, according to an announcement made Saturday by the country’s soccer federation leadership.
“We will be based in the Tijuana camp, which is near the Pacific Ocean and on the border between Mexico and the United States,” stated Iran’s soccer federation President Mehdi Taj in a video message shared on the organization’s Telegram social media channel.
The federation president explained that this relocation will help eliminate visa-related issues and enable the team to fly directly to Mexico using Iran Air transportation.
FIFA has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding this approved venue change.
The Iranian squad is scheduled to compete in three Group G matches: facing New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, meeting Belgium in the same city on June 21, and concluding group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
“The total distance between us and the venue of our games in Los Angeles is 55 minutes by flight,” Taj explained, noting that the Tijuana location actually places them closer to their competition sites compared to the original Arizona training facility.
For several months, Iran has encountered challenges regarding travel logistics and security preparations for the upcoming World Cup, which will take place across venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Earlier this month, Iranian federation representatives revealed that team members and support staff had not yet obtained necessary U.S. visas, despite the tournament beginning in less than four weeks.
According to Taj, the federation has requested FIFA provide assurances regarding visa processing, security measures and overall treatment of the Iranian delegation throughout the competition.
The World Cup tournament is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19.
