With approximately three weeks remaining before the commencement of the FIFA World Cup, the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) has officially relocated its training base from the United States to Mexico. On Saturday, Mehdi Taj, the President of the FFIRI, confirmed that FIFA has formally approved the request to move the national team’s base camp.
Strategic Shift to Tijuana
The decision to relocate follows significant administrative hurdles. In a video broadcast by the Fars News Agency, Mehdi Taj explained that the primary motivation behind the request was the complexity surrounding the visa acquisition process for the United States. To circumvent these logistical challenges, Iran will now be stationed in Tijuana, a city situated on the Pacific coast of Mexico, directly bordering the United States.
According to Taj, the federation has already finalised the team’s accommodation and facilities in Tijuana. One of the primary advantages of this new location is the logistical ease for the national carrier; the Iranian squad will be able to fly directly into Mexico via Iran Air, avoiding the complications associated with direct entry into US territory for the entire delegation.
Match Schedule and Logistical Advantages
Despite the base camp being located in Mexico, all three of Iran’s group-stage matches are scheduled to take place at venues within the United States. The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with the opening ceremony set for 11 June.
The original plan involved a base camp in Tucson, Arizona. However, the shift to Tijuana is viewed by the federation as a logistical improvement. Taj noted that for the two fixtures scheduled in Los Angeles, the flight time from the new base in Tijuana will be approximately 55 minutes—a shorter duration than the commute would have been from the original Arizona location.
Iran’s FIFA World Cup Group Stage Schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Location |
| 15 June | New Zealand | Los Angeles | USA |
| 21 June | Belgium | Los Angeles | USA |
| 26 June | Egypt | Seattle | USA |
Current Preparations and Background
The Iranian national team is currently undergoing intensive training in Antalya, Turkey. While the base camp has moved to Mexico, members of the squad and staff are still required to secure documentation for their matches on American soil. On Thursday, several members of the squad visited the United States Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, to submit their visa applications.
The participation of Iran in this tournament had previously been subject to international scrutiny and uncertainty following military escalations involving the United States and Israel. However, with the confirmation of the new base camp and the ongoing visa processes in Ankara, the FFIRI is moving forward with its tournament preparations.
A FIFA World Cup base camp serves as the official headquarters for a national team, providing a dedicated environment for training, recovery, and accommodation. Under FIFA regulations, teams reside at these bases throughout the tournament, travelling to host cities for their respective matches before returning to the camp for continued preparation.