Iran’s football team has decided to shift its FIFA World Cup 2026 base camp from the United States to Mexico after receiving approval from FIFA. The move comes amid rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the US and Israel ahead of the tournament beginning next month.
Iran were originally scheduled to train in Tucson, Arizona during the World Cup, but will now reportedly base themselves in Tijuana, Mexico, which sits close to the US border and allows easier travel for their Group G fixtures in the US.
In a statement released on Saturday, Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj confirmed that FIFA had approved their request following discussions with tournament officials.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, jointly hosted by 16 cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
This historic 23rd edition of the tournament is the first to be hosted by three nations and the first to feature an expanded format of 48 teams playing 104 matches.
