Iran’s national football team has arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, where it will use the city as its base for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a visa dispute prevented part of its delegation from staying in the United States. The team had originally planned to set up camp in Tucson, Arizona, but the arrangement changed after visas were denied for several members of staff, including Mehdi Taj, the head of the Iranian Football Federation.
The move means Iran will be based outside the US even though all of its group-stage matches are scheduled to take place on American soil. As a result, the players will need to travel in and out of the United States on each match day, adding another layer of logistical complexity to their World Cup campaign.
The visa row has drawn attention because it comes amid ongoing tensions linked to the US-Israeli war with Iran. That backdrop has given the team’s arrival added political significance, making this the first World Cup in which a host nation is receiving the team of a country it is at war with.
Iran’s relocation to Tijuana reflects how international politics and sporting arrangements are colliding ahead of the tournament. While Mexico will serve as the team’s base, the squad must still complete all of its competitive fixtures in the US, creating an unusual cross-border setup for training, preparation and travel.
The original base in Tucson would have allowed Iran to remain closer to its match venues and reduce travel demands. However, the denial of visas for key officials forced a change in plans. The exclusion of senior football administrators has also raised questions about the broader impact of diplomatic tensions on tournament operations.
For Iran, the arrangement is expected to complicate its World Cup routine, particularly with repeated border crossings, security checks and travel scheduling around match days. Such conditions could affect recovery, training rhythms and overall preparation for the competition.
The situation also underscores the wider challenges facing major international sporting events when they are hosted across countries with strained political relations. With the 2026 World Cup being jointly staged by the United States, Mexico and Canada, teams may face different logistical and diplomatic conditions depending on where they are based and where they play.
Iran’s presence in Tijuana has therefore become one of the early talking points of the tournament, not because of football alone, but because of the political circumstances shaping its World Cup journey. The team now faces the task of preparing for the tournament under a highly unusual arrangement, while navigating repeated travel between Mexico and the United States for every group match.
