Iranian Football Federation Confirms Mexico Base Camp as Visa Concerns Cloud World Cup Preparations
Iran’s Football Federation has confirmed that the country’s national team will camp in Mexico during the 2026 FIFA World Cup as concerns over United States visa arrangements continue to shape the team’s preparations for the global football tournament.
President of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, disclosed on Thursday that the federation expects FIFA to intervene and facilitate multiple-entry visas for Iranian players and officials who will need to travel between Mexico and the United States during the competition.
Speaking in a video broadcast by Iranian media, Taj said FIFA was expected to ensure that members of the Iranian delegation could move freely throughout the tournament without facing immigration-related complications.
“FIFA is expected to deliver a multiple-entry visa so that the players can enter the United States and return to Mexico,” Taj stated.
Iran, popularly known as “Team Melli,” had initially planned to establish its World Cup training base in Tucson, Arizona, ahead of the tournament scheduled to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026. However, Iranian football authorities later reversed the decision and opted to relocate the team’s base camp to Tijuana, Mexico.
According to Taj, the decision was largely influenced by concerns surrounding visa procedures and travel restrictions that could affect the team’s movement within the host countries. The federation also considered logistical convenience, including the ability for the squad to travel directly to Mexico using Iran Air flights.
The development comes amid strained diplomatic relations between Iran and the United States, as well as heightened tensions in the Middle East following recent military confrontations involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
Iran’s qualification and participation in the tournament had generated uncertainty in recent months, especially against the backdrop of the regional crisis triggered by the US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran earlier this year.
Despite the concerns, Taj insisted that preparations for the tournament were progressing as planned.
“It is certain now that we will go to Mexico. The team is preparing,” he said.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark one of the biggest editions of the tournament, with matches spread across multiple cities in North America. Iran have been drawn in Group G and are scheduled to play all three of their group-stage matches in the United States.
Team Melli will begin their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before taking on Belgium in another fixture in Los Angeles. Their final group-stage match will be against Egypt in Seattle.
Football analysts believe Iran’s decision to remain in Mexico during the competition reflects the growing importance of political and diplomatic considerations in international sporting events. Observers also note that FIFA may face increasing pressure to guarantee equal access and movement for participating nations regardless of political tensions between member states.
Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to surround the future of Iran’s star striker, Sardar Azmoun, after he was left out of the national team’s preliminary squad list.
When questioned about the situation, Taj said he was unaware of the latest developments concerning the player.
“I am not aware of the situation regarding Sardar Azmoun,” he said.
Azmoun remains one of Iran’s most celebrated footballers, having scored 57 goals for the national team during his international career. The forward has also enjoyed successful spells in European football, featuring for German club Bayer Leverkusen and Italian side AS Roma before moving to the United Arab Emirates.
The striker has, however, faced criticism from Iranian authorities and segments of the state-controlled media in recent years over his perceived political stance.
Azmoun previously expressed support for anti-government protests in Iran, a move that drew backlash from conservative groups and officials within the country. In March, Iranian media outlets accused him of disloyalty after a photograph surfaced showing the footballer alongside the ruler of Dubai, where he currently lives and plays club football.
His omission from the national team has fuelled speculation about whether political considerations may have influenced selection decisions ahead of the World Cup.
As preparations continue for the tournament, Iranian football authorities are expected to maintain close communication with FIFA and host nations to ensure smooth travel arrangements for players, coaching staff and officials.
The visa issue is likely to remain a major talking point in the months leading up to the tournament, particularly as geopolitical tensions continue to shape international relations involving Iran.
For now, Team Melli appear focused on their preparations in Mexico as they aim to make an impact at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the uncertainty surrounding logistics, politics and squad selection.
