The Iranian Football Federation has allegedly gained FIFA’s approval to shift its training base for the 2026 World Cup from the US to Mexico following major security and travel issues.
According to the Football Federation of Iran President Mehdi Taj on Saturday, the Iran national football team will be based in Tijuana instead of Tucson, Arizona, amid the escalation of Middle East tensions and fears for the security and travel procedures of the team.
The initial plan for Iran’s national team was to base in the Kino Sports Complex in Arizona and to train there prior to the competition, after the tensions surrounding its safety and travel measures heightened after US-Israeli military operations involving Iran previously this year.
Iran national football team will still compete in its Group G games in the United States, facing the New Zealand national football team in Los Angeles, the Belgium national football team in Los Angeles, and Egypt national football team in Seattle. The Federation pushed for relocation after doubts surrounding the team’s safety intensified, following earlier this year, there were claims of joint US-Israeli military operations against Iran.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, earlier this month, played down fears that Iran would be prevented from taking part in the tournament after stating that football was a tool for peace.
