Iran Relocates World Cup Training to Tijuana After U.S. Denies Visas to 14 Staff
Fourteen Iranian staff members were denied U.S. visas ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The team moved its training camp to Tijuana, Mexico, at FIFA's suggestion.
ESPNIran's national soccer team arrived Sunday morning at its new training camp in Tijuana, Mexico, after the United States denied entry visas to 14 staff members. The team flew from Antalya, Turkey, on a private jet. Iran had planned to base its preparations in Tucson, Arizona.
At FIFA's suggestion, the federation agreed to shift the camp to the Mexican border city so the full contingent could travel together. All three of Iran's group-stage matches will take place in the United States. The team faces New Zealand on Monday in Inglewood, California, meets Belgium six days later in the same stadium, and plays Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.
Forward Mehdi Taremi, who has appeared in three World Cups and played for Inter Milan in last season's Champions League final, said the visa decisions and the denial of entry to a Somali referee are damaging the host country's image. "I've been to three World Cups and they always say once you get off the plane and you enter the host country, there's just a unique atmosphere of friendliness and global-ness," Taremi told ESPN through a translator.
"Unfortunately, I'm not feeling it right now.
Iran Football Federation vice president Mehdi Mohammed Nabi was among those denied a visa. He said the federation continues to work with FIFA to resolve the matter. "The team consists of not just the players and the coach, but also supporting people -- technical staff, management.
We are all a team as one," Nabi told ESPN through a translator. "So FIFA, we're still pursuing [the visas]. FIFA has acknowledged that, and we're still looking into this. Hopefully it gets resolved in the next few days.
The 2026 World Cup opens Thursday and is jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Iran's participation has been affected by the ongoing Iran war.
