Iran Shifts World Cup Base Camp to Mexican Border City Amid US Entry Concerns

Iran's World Cup delegation has abandoned plans to establish its pre-tournament headquarters in Tucson, Arizona, instead opting to base its operations in Tijuana, the border community situated near the United States.

Mehdi Taj, president of Iran's Football Federation, attributed the relocation to consultations held with FIFA leadership and the World Cup organizing body. He emphasized that positioning the team in Tijuana would mitigate potential complications surrounding visa processing and logistical arrangements.

The Iranian squad competes within Group Seven of the tournament structure. The team's opening fixture will pit them against New Zealand in California, followed by matches against Belgium and Egypt, both contested in Seattle.

This marks Iran's fourth consecutive World Cup appearance and ninth participation overall in the tournament's history. To date, the national team has not advanced beyond the group stage in any World Cup competition.