Iran’s national football team left for Mexico this week, poised to begin a tightly scheduled build‑up ahead of the World Cup. While the players themselves have secured entry, several officials remain caught in a visa limbo that has drawn sharp criticism from Tehran.
A New Training Ground in Tijuana
In response to the bottleneck, the squad relocated its training camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, where they now conduct sessions under a new base of operations. The move allows 17 players, all based at home clubs that have been idle since February because of the regional conflict, to continue preparation.
The team’s first two group‑stage fixtures will be played on U.S. soil, against New Zealand in Los Angeles and Belgium in Seattle, before a third match in Arlington, Texas. Each venue will host a contingent of Iranian supporters hoping to offset the earlier setbacks with a strong on‑field showing.
Star forward Sardar Azmoun was omitted from the final list after a social‑media post that authorities deemed provocative, a decision that has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.
Initially, the sports minister declared participation “impossible,” but the federation has pressed ahead, emphasizing that the players’ readiness outweighs the administrative hurdles.