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Iran’s national football team is training in Tijuana under increased security after a visa dispute with the United States forced the team to move its 2026 FIFA World Cup camp from Arizona to Mexico.
The Mexican Army has stepped up security measures around the hotel where Iran’s national football team is staying in Tijuana, as the squad continues its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Security forces have been patrolling outside the hotel and escorting the Iranian delegation between their accommodation and the stadium, where the team holds training sessions. Footage from the city showed security personnel near the team hotel, a person holding an Iranian flag, the team bus waiting outside, and the squad boarding before the vehicle moved off with a security convoy.
Iran had initially planned to hold its World Cup camp in Arizona, but the team later moved its preparations to Tijuana after a visa problem with the United States.
The issue came as Iran, which is drawn in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, prepared for matches that will be played in the United States, one of the host countries of the tournament.
After lengthy checks, the U.S. granted visas to Iranian players, head coach Amir Ghalenoei and some members of the technical team. However, visa applications for 13 people in the team’s administrative and technical staff were not approved.
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Iran called on FIFA to step in over the visa dispute, but the uncertainty pushed the team to shift its base from Arizona to Mexico.
Despite the change in camp location, Iran’s delegation will still have to travel to the United States for all three of its Group G matches.
The situation has unfolded against the backdrop of recent political tensions in the Middle East, while FIFA has reportedly not made a public intervention in the process.
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