Iran has moved its World Cup training base from the U.S. to Mexico to avoid potential visa complications [1].
The relocation highlights the diplomatic friction between Tehran and Washington, as the national team must navigate strict entry requirements to compete in the tournament. By basing the team in Mexico, officials aim to ensure players can enter the U.S. for specific matches without the risks associated with a long-term stay.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, said the team received FIFA's approval to move the base to Tijuana, Mexico [1, 2]. The city is located just south of San Diego [1, 2]. The team had previously planned to establish its camp in Tucson, Arizona [1, 2].
Taj said the decision was taken to ensure the team can travel smoothly for matches in the United States [2]. This move comes just under three weeks before the start of the tournament [3].
Officials said the change was necessary to resolve visa issues amid ongoing Middle East tensions [1, 2]. By operating out of Mexico, the federation intends to streamline the logistics of crossing the border for scheduled games, rather than maintaining a permanent residence in Arizona.
"We have received FIFA's approval to move our training base to Tijuana, which will help us avoid visa complications," Taj said [1].
Taj also said the federation is grateful for the support of the host nations as the team prepares for the competition [4].
“The relocation highlights the diplomatic friction between Tehran and Washington.”
The decision to move the training camp reflects the precarious nature of sports diplomacy when geopolitical tensions clash with international athletic events. By shifting the base to Tijuana, Iran is utilizing Mexico as a strategic buffer to minimize the risk of visa denials or delays that could jeopardize the team's participation in the World Cup.
