Iran’s national team will train in Mexico during World Cup after changing camp, confederation leader says
As next month’s much-anticipated World Cup approaches, participating countries are completing camps in the three host countries to serve as training headquarters during the tournament.
The US, Canada and Mexico participated in this year’s World Cup.
However, Iran’s national team – which has faced intense scrutiny ahead of this summer’s World Cup – has recently learned it will not be based in the United States when the tournament begins. According to the president of Iran’s football federation, the team will establish its camp in Mexico.
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Iran’s national football team players stand at the Islamic Revolution Square in Tehran during a pro-government rally ahead of training and friendly matches in Turkey ahead of the World Cup on May 13, 2026. (Vahid Salemi/AP)
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, announced the decision on Saturday in a statement issued by the federation’s communications office. FIFA did not immediately confirm the move.
Iran was scheduled to train in Tucson, Arizona, but may have to move because of uncertainty over the Middle East war and security concerns. Officials at Tucson’s Kino Sports Complex declined to comment.
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According to Iran’s soccer federation, the team’s base will shift south of the California border to Tijuana, Mexico.
“All the camps of the teams of the countries participating in the World Cup must be approved by FIFA,” said Taj in his 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 Tehran with the esteemed FIFA Secretary General, our request to change the team’s base from the United States to Mexico.”
Iran national football team players Omid Norafkan (21) and Saman Ghoddos (14) celebrate after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia Zone qualifier football match between Iran and Uzbekistan, on March 25, 2025 in Tehran. (AFP via Getty Images)
Iran plays Group G games at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium six days later, before facing Egypt on June 26 in Seattle. The federation said Tijuana’s proximity to the Los Angeles area will benefit the team and the new facility “includes all the training facilities, a gym, a private restaurant and everything else the team needs.”
Iran’s men’s national team, commonly known as Team Melli, will be making their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance. The team never progressed to the group stage.
Players of the Iran national team pose for a team photo before the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Asian Qualifiers Group A third round match against Qatar at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on June 5, 2025. (Nushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto)
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The Iranian federation said moving the camp would solve potential visa problems as the team would enter the US via Mexico. The president said the group “can even go to and from Mexico using Iran Air flights.”
The World Cup opens on June 11 and concludes on July 19 with the Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
