Iranian national team to train in Mexico during World Cup after base camp switch, federation leader says
As next month’s highly anticipated World Cup approaches, participating nations are finalizing base camps in the tournament’s three host countries to serve as training headquarters during the competition.
The United States, Canada and Mexico are co-hosting the World Cup this year.
However, the Iranian national team – which has come under increased scrutiny ahead of this summer’s World Cup – recently learned it will not be based in the United States once the tournament begins. According to the president of the Iranian football federation, the team will instead establish its base camp in Mexico.
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Iranian national football team players perform on stage at Islamic Revolution Square in Tehran during a pro-government rally before leaving for training and friendly matches in Turkey ahead of the World Cup on May 13, 2026. (Vahid Salemi/AP)
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, announced the decision on Saturday in a statement released by the federation’s media relations office. FIFA did not immediately confirm the decision.
Iran was scheduled to train in Tucson, Arizona, but the move is possible due to uncertainty surrounding the Middle East war and security concerns. Officials at Tucson’s Kino Sports Complex declined to comment.
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According to the Iranian Football Federation, the team’s base will now be moved south of the California border to Tijuana, Mexico.
“All base camps of teams of countries participating in the World Cup must be approved by FIFA,” Taj said in his statement. “Fortunately, following the requests we submitted and the meetings we had with FIFA and World Cup officials in Istanbul, as well as the webinar we had yesterday in Tehran with the respected FIFA Secretary General, our request to move the team base from the United States to Mexico was approved.”
Iranian national football team players (21) Omid Norafkan and Saman Ghoddos (14) celebrate after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asia Zone Qualifying Group, football match between Iran and Uzbekistan on March 25, 2025 in Tehran. (AFP via Getty Images)
Iran will play Group G matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium six days later, then face Egypt on June 26 in Seattle. The federation said Tijuana’s relatively close proximity to the Los Angeles area would benefit the team and that the new location “includes all training facilities, a gym, a private restaurant and everything else the team needs.”
The Iranian men’s national team, also called Team Melli, is set to compete in its fourth consecutive World Cup. The team never made it past the group stage.
Players of the Iranian team pose for a team photo before the 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC Asian Qualifying Group Third Round match against Qatar at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar on June 5, 2025. (Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto)
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The Iranian federation said moving the base camp would resolve possible visa issues since the team will enter the United States via Mexico. The president said the team “may even be able to travel to and from Mexico using Iran Air flights.”
The World Cup opens on June 11 and ends on July 19 with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
