The Iranian national football team has confirmed its base for the 2026 World Cup will be in Mexico rather than the United States. This decision comes after discussions with FIFA that allowed Iran to make the change. The announcement was made on Saturday by Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation.
Change of Base: From Tucson to Tijuana
Initially, the team was set to establish its camp in Tucson, Arizona. However, the shift to Tijuana, located near the Pacific Ocean, aims to address significant logistical issues, particularly concerning visa approvals.
- Location of Base: Tijuana, Mexico
- Former Location: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Visa Challenges and Solutions
Mehdi Taj noted that moving operations to Mexico should alleviate many visa-related problems. Since Iran and the U.S. have had no diplomatic relations since 1980, securing visas for the team’s travel to the U.S. posed potential difficulties.
Iran’s participation in the World Cup is scheduled for June 11 to July 19, 2026, spanning across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The national team, also known as Team Melli, is preparing for its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance.
Match Schedule
During the group stage, Team Melli will play three matches:
- June 15: vs. New Zealand in Los Angeles
- June 21: vs. Belgium in Los Angeles
- June 26: vs. Egypt in Seattle
The location in Tijuana offers a closer connection to the matches in Los Angeles, reducing travel time to approximately 55 minutes by air. This proximity enhances the team’s logistical efficiency and allows for potential arrangements, such as private flights with Iran Air.
Preparation and Positive Outlook
Currently, the Iranian national team is in Turkey for preparation. Despite earlier concerns regarding visa approvals, Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, the vice president of the Iranian Football Federation, expressed confidence that the team would secure the necessary documents in time.
With the venue changes and ongoing preparations, Iran is poised for its World Cup journey amidst unique challenges and opportunities.
