Iran soccer team relocates training camp to Tijuana amid US‑Iran tensions ahead of 2026 World Cup

Iran’s national soccer team arrived at Tijuana International Airport on June 7 and established a base camp at the Centro Xoloitzcuintle facility and nearby Marriott Hotel after several staff members were denied U.S. visas because of the ongoing military dispute between Tehran and Washington. The team will play all three group‑stage matches on U.S. soil, but FIFA has required that each match be preceded by a same‑day crossing from Mexico into the United States and a return to Mexico afterward, preventing overnight stays near the venues.

The relocation has drawn attention from Iranian expatriate fans in Tijuana who have gathered to support the squad. Some fans hope that a possible Iran‑USA matchup could ease hostilities, while the arrangement illustrates how geopolitical friction is shaping the logistics of the 2026 World Cup.