Overview
- Iran requested and FIFA approved relocating its World Cup training base from Tucson, Arizona to Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana to ease travel and entry problems.
- FIFA confirmed on Monday that the Tijuana site is now Iran’s official base camp while the team keeps its three Group G matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.
- Iranian officials and the federation cited delayed U.S. visas and security concerns tied to the regional conflict as the main practical reasons for the late change.
- Mexico’s president said the United States did not want the Iranian team staying overnight on U.S. soil and Mexico agreed to host so the squad can cross the border for matches.
- The cross-border setup could speed entry by routing Iran through Mexico and may involve Iran Air flights, but it will require tight coordination on visas, transfers and security during the tournament.