Excerpt:
Iran’s World Cup training base has been moved from the United States to Mexico after FIFA approved a request from the country’s football federation, according to Iranian FA president Mehdi Taj.
Taj said Iran will now be based in Tijuana, a Mexican border city, instead of Tucson, Arizona, although FIFA has yet to officially confirm the change.
The decision comes amid ongoing security concerns linked to the conflict in the Middle East and uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Speaking on Saturday, Taj said FIFA approved the request following meetings with World Cup officials in Istanbul and discussions with FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom.
“We will be based in the Tijuana camp, which is near the Pacific Ocean and on the border between Mexico and the United States,” Taj said.
He added that Tijuana offers easier access to Iran’s group-stage matches, with flights to Los Angeles taking about 55 minutes compared to longer travel times from Tucson.
Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
The team are currently training in Antalya, Turkey, while some players recently travelled to the US embassy in Ankara to submit visa applications for the tournament.
Earlier this month, Taj said Iranian players were still awaiting visas. The Iranian Football Federation has also submitted a list of conditions to FIFA, including visa approval for players, coaches and officials who have completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Iran’s players would be welcome at the tournament, but individuals with links to the IRGC could face entry restrictions.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
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