Iran Football Federation confirms FIFA-approved shift to Mexico ahead of World Cup 2026 opener

Phoenix (US): Iran's national football team has relocated its World Cup training base to Mexico from the United States after receiving authorisation from FIFA, the president of the Iran Football Federation announced in a statement Saturday.

The sport's global governing body, FIFA, has not yet officially confirmed the relocation.

Team Melli was initially scheduled to prepare for the tournament in Tucson, Arizona. However, a potential change in venue had been anticipated due to ongoing instability surrounding the military conflict in the Middle East and corresponding security considerations. Municipal officials in Tucson declined to comment on the development.

ALSO READ: FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule IST

Team representatives stated that the delegation will now establish its base in Tijuana, Mexico, located immediately across the international border from the United States.

“All team base camps for the countries participating in the World Cup must be approved FIFA," said a statement attributed to Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation. "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.”

ALSO READ: FIFA World Cup 2026 Broadcast Rights in India

Iran is slotted into Group G for the tournament cycle and is scheduled to open its competitive campaign against New Zealand in Inglewood, California, on June 15.

With inputs from AP