Iran has decided to relocate its training camp from the United States to prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
On 25 May 2026, the Iran national football team received approval from FIFA to move their 2026 World Cup training camp from the United States to Mexico due to safety concerns amid ongoing conflict and unrest.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, stated, "All teams' training camps for the World Cup must be approved by FIFA. Fortunately, after submitting our request and meeting with FIFA officials and World Cup staff in Istanbul, as well as a web conference yesterday in Tehran with the FIFA Secretary General, our request to change the training camp location from the U.S. to Mexico has been approved."
Originally, Iran planned to prepare in Tucson, Arizona, but now the plan is to relocate the training camp to Tijuana, Mexico. Currently, the Iranian national team is training in Turkey.
The move will help resolve potential visa issues since the team will enter the U.S. via Mexico and may be able to travel to and from Mexico using Iran Air flights.
Iran will play Group G matches in Inglewood, California, facing New Zealand on 15 June, Belgium six days later, and then Egypt on 26 June in Seattle.