Iran Moves Training Base to Mexico to Avoid Visa Issues

TUCSON, SUNDAY — Iran has relocated its training base from the United States to Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. In addition to considering the distance to the match venues, this decision was made to reduce potential obstacles for the team, including complexities related to visas.

Iran has received FIFA approval to move its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, which borders the United States. This news was announced by Mehdi Taj, President of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), in a video broadcast by the Fars news agency on Saturday (May 23, 2026).

"Fortunately, thanks to the meeting we held with FIFA officials, our request to change the host country from the United States to Mexico, due to issues faced in obtaining visas, was accepted by FIFA," said Taj.

"Therefore, we will be headquartered in Tijuana, near the Pacific Ocean. It's a city located between Mexico and the US, but it's in Mexico. We've actually completed team building there," he added.

Iran is part of Group G in the 2026 World Cup. The Melli team is scheduled to participate in the grand football event by facing New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, California. They will then conclude the group stage by competing against Egypt in Seattle, Washington.

Taj stated that Tijuana is closer to the cities where Iran will compete than to the training base in Arizona. For instance, to reach the match location in Los Angeles, Iran can do so in a flight time of 55 minutes.

“It's a lot shorter than Tucson,” Taj said.

In addition to the distance factor, Taj mentioned that the relocation also helps his team avoid complications related to visas. By moving the location to Mexico, Iran can utilize Iran Air flights for direct travel there.

As is known, Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup has been a question in recent months. This is because this edition of the World Cup is being held in three countries, including the United States. Alongside Israel, the US began bombing Iran on February 28, triggering a wider war in the Middle East.

Until now, the Iranian squad has still not received US visas. Several members of the Iranian squad, who are currently training in Antalya, Turkey, reportedly submitted visa applications to the US embassy in Ankara on Thursday.

The Vice President of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, stated that they are uncertain whether US visas will be granted to the entire team and accompanying officials. Nevertheless, Iran is trying to remain optimistic with FIFA's protocols.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously asserted that Iran would still participate in the World Cup. U.S. President Donald Trump also stated that he had no issue with Iran competing in his territory. "Well, if Gianni (Infantino) says so, I have no problem. Did Gianni say that? You know what? Let them play. Gianni is great, he is my friend. He talked about it," said Trump.

However, several obstacles encountered by Iran indicate the opposite. During the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, last month, Iranian football officials were unable to attend because President Mehdi Taj was held up at immigration. The reason was that Taj was identified as a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Canadian authorities designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

Other Iranian delegates also announced their withdrawal from the congress. Iran's absence caused the FIFA Congress to lose direct representation from a country that qualified for the 2026 World Cup. In fact, this FIFA Congress aimed to facilitate behind-the-scenes discussions among participating countries.

Before that, Taj along with several delegates from FFIRI did not receive US visas to attend the draw for the qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Washington DC on December 5, 2025. The event was attended by President Trump.

Taj was also not invited by FIFA to the pre-World Cup meeting in Miami last February. In fact, the meeting discussed various technical aspects regarding competition rules, game regulations, and discussions supporting the tournament.

To avoid similar issues, particularly related to visas, Iran had actually proposed a relocation of the match venue. Instead of in the United States, Iran suggested playing at an alternative location, namely Mexico. However, FIFA rejected the proposal.

Iran and Japan are the two earliest teams to secure their spots in the 2026 World Cup through the qualification route in March 2025. For Iran, this marks their fourth consecutive qualification.

If Amir Ghalenoei's team can progress from the group stage as runners-up in Group G, they will have the opportunity to face the USA directly in the round of 32. (AFP/REUTERS)