Iran Moves World Cup Base From the u.s. To Mexico
Iran’s national team will relocate its World Cup training camp to Mexico to avoid political and immigration issues in the United States.
Iran’s national team has finally resolved one of the biggest uncertainties ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Team Melli officially confirmed that it will establish its base camp in Mexico instead of the United States due to political tensions and immigration concerns linked to Donald Trump’s policies.
The announcement was made by Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, who revealed that FIFA approved the relocation after several meetings in Istanbul and virtual discussions with top FIFA officials.
“All base camps for World Cup teams must be approved by FIFA, and fortunately our request to move from the United States to Mexico was accepted,” Taj said in an official statement shared on Telegram.
Iran had originally planned to stay in Tucson, Arizona. However, growing diplomatic tensions, the conflict in the Middle East, and uncertainty surrounding visas for players and staff forced the federation to seek a safer and more stable alternative. The team’s new headquarters will be located in Tijuana, Mexico, from where the squad will travel across the border into the United States for World Cup matches. The strategy is designed to minimize immigration risks and provide logistical stability throughout the tournament.
The situation gained even more attention after Donald Trump recently announced progress toward a possible peace agreement with Iran. Despite those developments, the Iranian federation has decided to maintain its plan and remain based in Mexico for the duration of the competition.
With this move, Iran secures a smoother path toward participating in the World Cup, while Mexico strengthens its role as a key host nation for football’s biggest event.
