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Iran has moved its 2026 World Cup base camp from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, FIFA confirmed on Monday, May 25.FIFA released its official list of base camps for all 48 teams, which confirmed the switch that Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) president Mehdi Taj announced over the weekend.The reason for the late shift isn't fully known, nor is it clear who decided on the move.According to Taj, Iran made the request. But Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday that the United States did not want the Iranian team staying overnight in the country.“The United States doesn’t want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States,” Sheinbaum told reporters.Sheinbaum said FIFA requested Mexico host the team's base camp.“And we said, ‘Yes, no problem. We have no issue with that’,” Sheinbaum said.Requests for comment from the White House, U.S. State Department and FIFA have not immediately been returned.Iran's World Cup status has been in doubt since the U.S. and Israel launched an armed conflict against the Middle East nation in late February, with the nations currently in an unsteady ceasefire.On Saturday, May 16, a FIFA delegation led by secretary general Mattias Grafström met with FFIRI officials in Istanbul, Turkey.Following that meeting, Taj expressed optimism that Iran would be able to participate in the World Cup.Iran is scheduled to kick off its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. Team Melli will also take on Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle.
