Iran’s national football team has left its training base in Tucson, Arizona, and set up camp in Tijuana, Mexico, as it prepares for the upcoming World Cup.
The move follows a formal request to FIFA and a series of meetings with tournament officials, after which the governing body granted approval for the relocation.
Officials cited security concerns and the broader uncertainty stemming from the conflict in the Middle East as key factors behind the decision.
Earlier in the year, Iranian authorities had publicly declared that participation in the World Cup was untenable given the strained relationship with the United States.
The team is now slated to face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G, a bracket that promises competitive encounters.
The tournament itself will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, running from June 11 through July 19.
The shift also reflects a pragmatic response to logistical challenges, as travel and accommodation in Tijuana present fewer security hurdles compared to the desert environment of Tucson.
A New Chapter for the Iranian Squad
With the new base camp offering a different climate and logistical backdrop, coaches hope the environment will foster focus and cohesion ahead of the first match. Technical director Mehdi Taj and senior player Ahmad Donyamali have been seen training alongside the squad, underscoring a unified approach.