World football governing body FIFA has confirmed that the Iranian national football team will use the Mexican city of Tijuana as its tournament base for this summer’s World Cup.
Iran will set up its camp at Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana during the group phase of the expanded 48-team tournament, which is being jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Iran becomes one of seven national teams choosing to be based in Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that her country would host the Iranian team due to ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States. According to Sheinbaum, FIFA approached Mexico regarding the arrangement after the US indicated it did not wish to host the team.
“We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico,” Sheinbaum said.
Iran was originally scheduled to play all three of its group-stage matches in the United States. However, the administration of US President Donald Trump previously stated it is not “appropriate” for Iranian team members to be in the country “for their own life and safety.” The US has not yet granted the necessary travel visas to the Iranian team, despite Trump’s earlier assertion that players and staff would be “welcome.” The diplomatic friction follows a war involving the US, Israel, and Iran that began on February 28, with peace negotiations currently described as tense but ongoing.
By choosing Tijuana, Iran joins a select group of nations staying in Mexico for the tournament. Other base camps in Mexico include Colombia and Korea Republic in Guadalajara, South Africa in Pachuca, Tunisia in Monterrey, Uruguay in Cancun, and the host nation Mexico in Mexico City.
FIFA emphasized that Team Base Camps are critical logistical hubs where teams train, recover, and prepare for matches during the group stage.
“Team Base Camps are an integral part of the fabric of any FIFA World Cup,” said Heimo Schirgi, Chief Operating Officer for the FIFA World Cup 2026. “They are where teams put down roots, train and recuperate, and experience the day-to-day rhythms of the tournament.”
FIFA noted that these camps spread the tournament’s economic and cultural impact to 25 non-host communities across North America. The United States will host the majority of the tournament’s squads, with 39 nations selecting American training bases. Canada and Panama will camp in Canada, while Ghana will prepare for its group-stage matches from a base at Bryant University in Boston.