Iran's World Cup Squad Lands in Tijuana Amid US Visa Standoff

9 Jun 2026

Iran's national team has arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, to set up its World Cup base after a last-minute switch from Arizona driven by a visa dispute with co-host United States. The squad flew in from a three-week camp in Turkiye, with the US granting player visas just days before the opener while reportedly denying entry to around 15 support and management staff. Iran, drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, will be based in Mexico throughout despite playing their group games on the US West Coast.