Tijuana: Iran has expressed gratitude to Mexico for providing a training base during the 2026 World Cup after the United States declined to accommodate the team for the tournament's duration. Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran's Ambassador to Mexico, visited Tijuana to extend his appreciation to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo for hosting the Iranian national football team.

According to Thai News Agency, the Iranian national team will establish its training operations in Mexico, only traveling to the United States for their scheduled matches. The arrangement was made after US authorities showed reluctance in allowing the team to stay in the country throughout the tournament, which spans from June 11 to July 19. Despite having three Group G matches in the US, Iran will use Mexico as its primary base.

Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, announced that the team will now move its training base from Arizona to Tijuana, with FIFA confirming the change. Currently, the Iranian squad is preparing at a training camp in Altaya, Turkey.

Iran's match schedule includes facing New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.