The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico has unexpectedly turned into a major geopolitical flashpoint, with Iran now shifting its operational base away from the United States due to growing political tensions and security concerns.
In a dramatic late development, Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj confirmed that Team Melli will no longer hold its planned training camp in Tucson, Arizona. Instead, the Iranian national team will now set up its base in the Mexican border city of Tijuana ahead of the tournament.
The decision comes amid worsening political and military tensions between Iran and the United States, along with reported visa complications after former US President Donald Trump included Iran in a list of countries facing travel restrictions.
Iran’s concerns reportedly intensified following recent geopolitical developments and security fears, forcing the federation to rethink its entire World Cup preparation strategy. According to reports, Iranian officials had even approached FIFA requesting that their group-stage matches be shifted to Mexico instead of being played in the United States. However, FIFA declined the request due to logistical constraints.
As a compromise, Iran has now been permitted to operate from Tijuana, allowing the squad to avoid residing in the United States while only flying in for matches when required. The move is being viewed as a strategic solution to reduce visa complications, security concerns, and travel-related stress for the players.
Despite the relocation of their training base, Iran’s World Cup fixtures in the United States will remain unchanged. Team Melli, currently preparing in Turkey, has been drawn into a challenging Group G and faces a difficult road to the knockout stage.
Iran will begin its campaign against New Zealand on June 15 at SoFi Stadium in California. They will return to the same venue on June 21 for a high-profile clash against Belgium before travelling north for their final group-stage fixture against Egypt on June 27.
The choice of Tijuana as a base appears highly tactical, as Los Angeles can be reached in under an hour by direct flight, allowing the team to minimise time spent on American soil while maintaining smooth travel arrangements throughout the tournament.
