Iran's national football team has moved its 2026 World Cup base camp from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico [1].
The relocation highlights the impact of geopolitical instability on international sports, as the team seeks to avoid safety risks linked to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
FIFA approved the move on June 15, 2024 [2]. The Iranian Football Federation sought the change to ensure the stability of the squad's environment leading up to the tournament. The shift moves the team's primary operations out of the U.S. entirely, a decision driven by regional security concerns.
"We have decided to move the camp to Mexico to ensure the safety of our players and staff," Ali Khosravi, President of the Iranian Football Federation, said [3].
While the official base camp is now located in Tijuana [1], the team has also conducted training sessions in Turkey. A team spokesperson said the squad is training in Turkey amid rising tensions but remains confident in its preparations [4].
Head coach Carlos Queiroz noted that the team is prioritizing its readiness despite the external volatility. "Our focus remains on preparing for the World Cup despite the uncertainty surrounding the region," Queiroz said [5].
The move to Mexico provides a neutral environment for the team to finalize its tactics for the 2026 FIFA World Cup [6]. By distancing the players from the direct diplomatic and military friction between the U.S. and Iran, the federation aims to minimize distractions, and potential security complications for the athletes and coaching staff.
“"We have decided to move the camp to Mexico to ensure the safety of our players and staff."”
The relocation of a national team's base camp due to active warfare and diplomatic hostility underscores the precarious nature of sports diplomacy. By moving operations to Mexico and Turkey, Iran is navigating a path to participate in a tournament hosted in North America while mitigating the physical and psychological risks associated with the U.S.-Israeli conflict.
