FIFA Approves Iran’s Request to Shift 2026 World Cup Training Base to Mexico

New Delhi, May 2026 : FIFA has approved Iran’s request to relocate its training base for the 2026 FIFA World Cup from the United States to Mexico, amid growing concerns over travel logistics, visa procedures and wider geopolitical sensitivities linked to the tournament.

The announcement was made by Mehdi Taj, who confirmed that the decision followed extensive discussions with FIFA officials and World Cup organisers during meetings held in Istanbul, along with a subsequent virtual interaction with senior FIFA representatives.

Iran had initially planned to establish its World Cup camp in Tucson, Arizona. However, the team will now be based in Tijuana, Mexico, during the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

According to Iranian football authorities, the shift to Tijuana is expected to significantly ease operational and administrative challenges associated with entering and travelling within the United States during the World Cup. Officials believe the Mexican base will simplify visa-related processes for players, coaching staff and support personnel while also offering greater travel flexibility throughout the competition.

Speaking about the decision, Taj said FIFA had formally approved Iran’s proposal after reviewing the federation’s concerns and logistical plans.

He added that the team could potentially use Iran Air flights for travel between Iran and Mexico, making transportation arrangements smoother for the delegation.

The federation also underlined the strategic advantage of Tijuana’s location. Situated close to the US border near San Diego, the city offers convenient access to California, where two of Iran’s group-stage matches are scheduled to take place.

Iranian officials said the newly approved training base includes all essential facilities required for a modern World Cup campaign, including dedicated training grounds, gymnasiums, private dining arrangements and other high-performance infrastructure.

Despite relocating the training base, Iran will still play all of its Group G fixtures inside the United States. Team Melli will begin their campaign against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium on June 15. They will then face Belgium at the same venue on June 21 before concluding the group stage against Egypt at Lumen Field on June 26.

The decision comes amid heightened political and diplomatic tensions surrounding Iran’s participation in international sporting events. Earlier this month, Taj was reportedly denied entry into Canada ahead of the FIFA Congress due to alleged links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Canada designated as a terrorist organisation in 2024.

The 2026 tournament will mark Iran’s fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance and the seventh in the nation’s history. While Team Melli have consistently qualified for recent editions of the competition, they are still pursuing their first-ever qualification to the knockout stage of the World Cup.

The relocation to Mexico is being viewed as a practical move aimed at ensuring smoother preparations and minimising distractions ahead of one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

Team Maverick