• Iran will base their World Cup training camp in Tijuana, Mexico, after FIFA's approval.
• The move aims to avoid visa complications for the Iranian delegation.
• The proximity of Tijuana to their match venues in Los Angeles is a significant factor.
• Iran has faced uncertainty regarding travel and security due to ongoing regional tensions.
• The team's first matches are scheduled against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles.

Iran will now hold their World Cup training camp in Tijuana, Mexico, instead of Tucson, Arizona, following FIFA's approval. The head of Iran's Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, announced this decision on Saturday, stating, “We will be based in the Tijuana camp, which is near the Pacific Ocean and on the border between Mexico and the United States,” according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The relocation is aimed at mitigating visa-related issues arising from ongoing tensions between Iran and the U.S., compounded by recent geopolitical conflicts, according to Taj. He asserted that the change would allow the team to enter the U.S. through Mexico without the complications of U.S. visa requirements, as well as facilitate easier travel arrangements on Iran Air flights, based on reports from CBS News and Reuters.

The Tijuana location offers closer proximity to the venues where Iran will compete, including matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, which are less than an hour's flight away. This logistical advantage was highlighted by Taj as a key benefit of the new training base arrangement, as noted by Al Jazeera and CBS News.

Iran's decision to move the camp follows months of uncertainty regarding travel and security arrangements for the World Cup, which is set to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The federation has previously expressed concerns about potential security risks, thus pushing for reassurances from FIFA regarding the treatment of the Iranian delegation, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and CBS News.