FIFA World Cup 2026 | Iran’s base camp moved from USA to Mexico

The game's global governing body confirmed that Iran relocated its ​planned FIFA World Cup 2026 training base from the United States to Mexico amid the war in the Middle East and security concerns.

Iran had originally ⁠selected a sports complex in Tucson, Ariz, to serve ⁠as their national team's de facto headquarters during ‌the World Cup, but ​the country sought a change after the US and Israel conducted joint strikes on Iran beginning in late February.

FIFA published the final list of team base camp locations Monday, with ​Iran now setting up ⁠shop at Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana.

There are not yet any plans to change the location of Iran's group-stage matches. As part of Group G, Iran is set ⁠to ‌play its first two matches in Los Angeles, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium ‌on June 21, with a June 26 matchup against Egypt in Seattle.

But ⁠Tijuana's location directly across the US-Mexico border from San Diego could help with visa ‌issues when the team needs to enter ‌the country, according to Mehdi Taj, president of the ‌Iran Football Federation.

Taj initially announced the camp's move ‌Saturday before FIFA made it official.

"All team base camps for the countries participating in the World Cup must be approved FIFA," Taj ⁠said in ⁠a statement. "Fortunately, following the requests we submitted and the meetings we held with FIFA and World Cup officials in Istanbul, as well as the webinar meeting we had yesterday in the Tehran with the respected FIFA secretary general, our request to change the team's base from the ​United States to Mexico was approved."

Iranian officials said earlier ​this month their ​players and staff had not yet received US. visas.

The World Cup, co-hosted by ​the U.S., Canada and Mexico, runs from June 11 through July 19.

For the first time in tournament history, it have a record 48 teams.

(With inputs from FIFA Media/agencies)