Iran’s men’s national football team touched down in Mexico this week, marking the first step of a delicate preparation for the upcoming World Cup.
A turbulent buildup
Veteran defender Ehsan Hajsafi was the first to disembark, his arrival captured by cameras as the squad faced a maze of bureaucratic obstacles.
Originally slated to train in Tucson, Arizona, the team was forced to relocate to Tijuana after visa processing stalled, a move that reflects the broader strain of Iran’s domestic unrest.
Earlier in the year, the squad had spent weeks honing their tactics in Antalya, Turkey, a neutral venue that offered a temporary sanctuary from the domestic pressures.
Now based in the bustling border city of Tijuana, the players are working under a compressed schedule, balancing intense training with the constant uncertainty of travel permits and political scrutiny.