Tijuana, Mexico — The world football governing body, FIFA, has approved a request from the Iranian national team to relocate its 2026 FIFA World Cup training camp from the United States to Mexico, in a move driven by logistical and administrative concerns.
The Iranian national team, represented by the Iran Football Federation, had initially planned to establish its base camp in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. However, the federation later requested a change of location, which has now been approved by FIFA, according to multiple reports.
Under the revised arrangement, Iran will now set up its World Cup training base in Tijuana, a border city in Mexico, located just south of California in the United States.
The location is considered strategically convenient, as it offers relatively quick access to Iran’s group-stage match venues in the United States, including cities such as Los Angeles and Seattle.
Reports indicate that the decision was influenced by a combination of practical and diplomatic challenges. Key among them were concerns over visa processing delays and entry clearance into the United States for players and staff.
Given ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the United States, the Iranian federation reportedly sought a more flexible and accessible training arrangement within the 2026 World Cup host regions.
Tijuana’s proximity to the U.S. border is expected to ease travel logistics while still allowing Iran to compete in matches hosted across American cities.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With expanded logistics across three countries, teams are increasingly selecting base camps that reduce travel stress and improve preparation efficiency.
Iran is expected to continue coordinating closely with FIFA and local organizers to ensure smooth movement between its training base and match venues during the tournament.
The move to Tijuana is expected to be finalized in Iran’s official World Cup preparations in the coming months.
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