FIFA has approved Iran’s request to shift its national football team’s World Cup training camp from the United States to Mexico, amid ongoing concerns over travel and security arrangements.
According to Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj, the team will now hold its pre-World Cup camp in the Mexican border city of Tijuana, located near the Pacific coast and close to the US border.
Iranian media reported that FIFA approved the relocation request following months of uncertainty surrounding visa and logistical issues ahead of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Speaking to the Iranian state news agency, Taj confirmed that FIFA had approved the request to move the camp from the US to Mexico.
It should be noted that Iran has faced uncertainty in recent months regarding travel and security arrangements for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Iranian officials also stated that, as of this month, the team’s players and staff had not yet been issued US visas, despite the World Cup being less than a month away.
The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran secured qualification for the World Cup in March 2025 after drawing 2–2 against Uzbekistan and finishing first in the third round of the Asian Football Confederation qualifiers. This marked Iran’s fourth consecutive qualification for the tournament.
Iran first participated in the FIFA World Cup in 1978 and later qualified for the tournaments in 1998 and 2006. The 2026 edition will be Iran’s fourth consecutive World Cup appearance after qualifying for the 2014, 2018, and 2022 tournaments.
Read more: Iran still waiting on US visas ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup kickoff
