Iran moves World Cup training base to Tijuana

On Saturday, May 23, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, announced that the team's training base for the 2026 World Cup has been moved from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico. The change, approved by FIFA, aims to address visa and logistical challenges regarding the team's travel. The national team plans to use Iran Air flights to travel directly to Mexico. Mehdi Taj noted that Tijuana is closer to the team's match venues in the United States, specifically reducing travel to Los Angeles to a 55-minute flight. Iran is scheduled to play New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26. This decision follows months of uncertainty regarding safety and travel protocols for the Iranian delegation. FIFA did not immediately comment on the reported change.