Iran Will Play World Cup Games in US, but Team Has to Stay in Mexico

Newsweek ^ | May 25, 2026 | Jesus Mesa

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Iran will play all three of its Group G matches on American soil yet base its operations across the border in Mexico...

Mehdi Taj, head of the Iranian Football Federation, announced Saturday that the team's training base would relocate from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, a border city in Baja California. He cited visa complications and security concerns stemming from the U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran that began on February 28.

"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 in a video posted to the federation's Telegram account.

Taj said the move would allow the squad to avoid visa complications and travel directly to Mexico using Iran Air flights. The distance from Tijuana to Los Angeles, where Iran will play two group matches, is roughly 55 minutes by flight, he added.

[libertylover]

And the Iranian women’s soccer team had a few defect to Australia just a few months ago

I believe they all went back after the Ayatollahs threatened their families. Maybe a few stayed.

Note: we have a number of Freepers who apparently think the Ayatollahs are nice people.

[ridesthemiles]

WHAT??????????????????????

[mass55th]

"Exactly right. Seriously doubt that they are blameless lambs. Because in this case, they ARE sending their best. And who gets the best training and opportunities?"

The compliant!!
Excellent points!! Thanks for sharing.