Iran says it has FIFA consent to move its training camp from Tucson, Arizona, across the border to Tijuana, Mexico, on safety grounds following the war with the US
Iran has claimed victory in its World Cup war – after FIFA agreed to let the team switch its training HQ from the US to Mexico. The nation, which has been under attack from the US since February 28, was due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, for the tournament.
But now the team’s camp will be in Tijuana, Mexico, according to Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj. He said FIFA chiefs have agreed to the switch the tie across the border on security grounds.
Iran will still play its group matches in the US – but will fly in and out for them limiting time on American soil. The Middle East nation’s appearance at the tournament has sparked controversy.
Not only is it still technically at war with the US, it has fired off missiles in retaliation at several neighbouring states also taking part in next month’s tournament.
Officials called for the team to move across the border amid fears America may refuse to grant entry visas to players and officials who have completed military training with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, aka IRGC.
It is a banned terrorist organisation in the US and Canada.
Taj said: “All team base camps for the countries participating in the World Cup must be approved by FIFA.
“Fortunately, following the requests we submitted and the meetings we held with FIFA and World Cup officials in Istanbul, as well as the webinar meeting we had yesterday in Tehran with the respected FIFA secretary general, our request to change the team’s base from the United States to Mexico was approved.”
Iran is set to play Group G games in Los Angeles against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 then face Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.
The team is appearing in its fourth straight World Cup and seventh overall though it has never advanced past the first round.
The federation said moving the base camp will resolve potential visa issues since the team will enter the US through Mexico.
Taj said the team ‘may even be able to travel to and from Mexico using Iran Air flights’.