Iran move World Cup base from US to Mexico with FIFA approval

Iran had been anticipated to fly from Turkiye to Arizona to proceed World Cup 2026 preparations however will change to Mexico.

Iran will base ‌their squad within the Mexican border metropolis of Tijuana ⁠throughout this ⁠12 months’s World Cup after soccer’s world governing physique FIFA accredited a request to move their coaching camp from Arizona, ⁠the pinnacle of Iran’s soccer federation mentioned on Saturday.

“We will likely be based mostly within the Tijuana camp, which is close to the Pacific ⁠Ocean and on the border between Mexico and the USA,” Iran’s Soccer Federation President Mehdi Taj mentioned in a video posted on its Telegram social media account.

Taj added that the change would assist ‌keep away from visa-related problems following the US-Israel warfare on Iran, and that the squad would have the opportunity to fly immediately to Mexico with Iran Air.

Iran will play their first two Group G matches in Los Angeles, in opposition to New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, ⁠earlier than going through Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

“The ⁠complete distance between us and the venue of our video games in Los Angeles is 55 minutes by flight,” Taj mentioned, including that Tijuana was nearer to their ⁠match venues than the staff’s beforehand deliberate camp in Arizona.

Iran has confronted uncertainty for months ⁠over journey and safety preparations for the ⁠World Cup, which will likely be cohosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, and had requested for his or her video games to be moved from the US.

Iranian officers mentioned this month that their gamers and employees had but to obtain US ‌visas, lower than a month earlier than the beginning of the match. They started visa functions throughout their keep in Turkiye for pre-tournament coaching.

Taj mentioned FIFA had been requested for ensures over visas, safety ‌and ‌the therapy of the Iranian delegation.

Iran are due to play Gambia in a pleasant on Might 29 earlier than coach Amir Ghalenoei names his ultimate 26-man World Cup squad by FIFA’s June 1 deadline.

The World Cup is from June 11 to July 19.