Iran say Fifa has approved World Cup base camp switch from US to Mexico

Iran’s football federation president Mehdi Taj announced the team’s World Cup training base has been moved from the United States to Tijuana, Mexico, after FIFA approval. The team had been scheduled to train in Tucson, Arizona, but the move became possible due to uncertainty related to the war in the Middle East and security concerns. FIFA has not confirmed the change. Taj said FIFA approval was obtained through meetings with FIFA and World Cup officials in Istanbul and a webinar meeting in Tehran with FIFA’s secretary general. The federation stated the change would resolve potential visa issues because entry into the United States would occur through Mexico, and travel may be possible using Iran Air flights. Iran’s group matches are in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Los Angeles.

"Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, announced the decision Saturday in a statement issued by the federation's media relations official. FIFA has not confirmed the move. Iran had been scheduled to train in Tucson, Arizona, but a move has been a possibility because of uncertainty surrounding the war in the Middle East and security concerns. Officials at Tucson's Kino Sports Complex had no comment when asked by the Associated Press. The federation says the team will now be based in Tijuana, Mexico, just south of San Diego."

"All team base camps for the countries participating in the World Cup must be approved [by] FIFA, Taj said in his statement. 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."

"The federation said moving the base camp will resolve potential visa issues since the team will enter the US through Mexico. Taj said that the team may even be able to travel to and from Mexico using Iran Air flights. Iran play Group G games in Los Angeles against New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June, then faces Egypt on 26 June 26 in Seattle."

"It was reported in March, after the US and Israel began joint airstrikes on Iran, that Fifa was unwilling to switch the team's World Cup matches to Mexico. Donald Trump said at that time that the life and safety of Iran's players could be at risk if they tr"

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